The Department for Transport has announced it has safeguarded investment in new carriages for the UK’s trains.
Following the government spending review, transport secretary Philip Hammond said a total of 2100 new carriages will be added to the rail network by May 2019.
This number is 650 more than had previously been proposed, which Hammond said he hoped would reduce overcrowding.
Hammond saidthe new carriages will “help” make Britain’s railways “fit for the 21st century”.
He added: “At a time of severe pressure on public spending, it would be tempting to cut back on investment in our railways, but we cannot afford not to invest in Britain’s future.”
The government’s announcement was welcomed by Raj Sachdave, head of Strategic Business Development at Capita Business Travel.
He said: “Overall it’s great news – a lot better than the industry had expected. This will help ease overcrowding and allow more creativity with ticket types and prices.
“With more seats available there will be more of an opportunity to book advanced fares, helping to combat the eye-watering price increases in the New Year.”
Hammond has also confirmed the £6 billion London Thameslink project will go ahead, improving links between the north and southeast of London.
Funding for the Crosslink project, linking east and west London, was given the go-ahead earlier this year.
Some £900 million of rail electrification projects have also been given the green light, onlines from London to Didcot, and Newbury to Oxford, as well as between Liverpool, Manchester, Preston and Blackpool.
As part of the announcement, Hammond also confirmed Britain’s aging fleet of Intercity 125 trains will be retired, but said the next generation to replace this high speed fleet had yet to be agreed on.