News yesterday that Britain will be introducing baggage checks at railway stations as part of tough new anti-terror legislation should strike fear into the heart of every rail traveler. For while some are abandoning air travel in a misguided attempts to embrace environmentalism, others are abandoning the air because of the increasing amount of inconvenience air travel involves. Tighter security at airports all over Europe has made air travel (always stressful) a genuine pain in the rear. Asked to check-in earlier and earlier to ensure that we make it through security in time for our planes, many people are looking for hassle-free alternatives, and in some cases the train can provide one.
If the same nuisances that make air travel living hell however suddenly become an unwanted feature of train travel, then there will be no alternative other than jumping in the car and driving.
Or staying at home and going nowhere: The green lobby will be delighted.
