It has been long awaited, but plans for a new high-speed rail network in the UK could be unveiled early next year. The transport secretary, Lord Adonis, said the British Government hopes to publish the plans by next March and it will include details on cost, planned routes, economics and environmental impact it will have on our shores.

Lord Adonis was talking to the press at the launch of the UK’s first full high-speed service. High Speed One has only been used for Eurostar services to date, but that has changed to incorporate commuter trains as well. After the plans are published there will be a consultation with the public before any further steps are taken.

The UK unfortunately trails behind many of the European counterparts when it comes to high-speed trains. France and Spain are two of the largest operators of high speed services in Europe and many people choose these services over flying because they can actually be quicker when you take check-in and everything else into account.

High Speed Two is a company that has been established to advice the British Government firstly on a link from London to Scotland. Currently the quickest time from Euston to Glasgow is around five hours, and that would need to be cut down to three hours to have any hope of competing with cheap air travel. The report due next March will be the most detailed the UK has ever seen on proposed rail networks and hopefully be able to be put into action.