The integration of rail and air transport in Britain

Abstract

This paper examines the state of intermodal rail-air transport in mainland Britain. Working on the basis that the relief of the ever increasing road congestion around airports necessitates a modal shift from road to rail transport for both intending air travellers and airport staff, the paper examines the different approaches taken, to date, in providing rail-air links. The paper draws heavily on the proceedings of the 1996 Opportunities for Air and Rail Interaction Conference. The main conclusion drawn in this paper is that the approach to rail-air integration has so far been very piecemeal and lacked the necessary national coordination required to capitalise upon the benefits of rail-air intermodal transport.