PRIME Minister Gordon Brown said today he was "excited by the role that High Speed Rail could play in a low carbon future."

High Speed Rail would provide a "fast, low carbon network" linking the nations and regions of the UK, he wrote in a introduction to a pamphlet published on the first day of Labour's annual conference in Brighton entitled 'Fast Forwards - Labour's case for High Speed Rail.'

In his message, the Prime Minister writes: "It is telling that those countries that have built High Speed Rail are now building more of it.

"The figures are compelling: there is currently 5,598kn of High Speed lines in Europe, 3,474km under construction and a further 8,500km planned.

"And the enthusiasm for High Speed Rail extends far beyond Europe. Japan currently has 2,452km of High Speed lines. By 2025, China plans to have 8,311km. President Obama has described High Speed Rail as: 'a smart transportation system equal to the needs of the 21st century.'

"The UK has opened its first High Speed Rail line between the Channel Tunnel and the wonderfully refurbished station at St Pancras. But as a country we need to now move further, faster. We must show how we are going to be part of the High Speed Rail revolution sweeping across the world.

"This is why we have set up the High Speed 2 company, to recommend to government a north-south High Speed Rail plan by the end of the year. Andrew [Lord] Adonis and I look forward to receiving their report later this year."

Mr Brown added that rail investment would "build our low carbon future and provide the backbone of our economic prosperity. Together we can build the case for High Speed Rail as part of a new Age of the Train."

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