High-speed rail plans may mean council tax rise
THE Government is considering raising council tax and increasing fares for train and air travel to fund its plans for a £30bn high-speed rail network.
Business leaders have raised concerns about the proposals – which also include the introduction of supplementary business rates – and suggested the formation of a National Infrastructure Bank would be a better way to finance such major programmes.
The high-speed rail network, announced this week by Transport Secretary Lord Adonis, would see Yorkshire getting a direct 250mph service to London.
But the Yorkshire leg of the Y-shaped route will not be finished until the late 2030s.