Can the car be greener than the train? - New Government railway strategy due

The RSSB has conceded that it needs to improve the railways' efficiency before its environmental impact does become greater than the car.

It has targeted energy savings of around £68 million in the next five years, saving more than half a million tonnes of carbon dioxide a year.

'The most significant contribution that the railway can make to a sustainable future is to increase the number of passengers that travel through the rail network that would otherwise use more polluting modes, and so reduce the overall carbon impact from all transport,' said the spokesman.

There's no doubt that some less-used rail routes served by older diesel stock such as a Sprinter train are coming under fire from environmentally-aware politicians.

Last year Douglas Alexander, then the Transport Secretary, conceded: 'If 10 or fewer people travel in a Sprinter, it would be less environmentally damaging to give them each a Land Rover Freelander and tell them to drive.'

The Government is expected to publish a 30-year strategy on the environmental issues facing the railways later this month.

Green car buyer's guide
Click here to find out how to buy and run a more environmentally friendly car.