Regulation 2
1.—(a) The infrastructure of the trans-European high-speed rail system shall be that on the lines of the trans-European transport network identified in the framework of the guidelines referred to in Article 129c of the Treaty (1):
those specially built for high-speed travel,
those specially upgraded for high-speed travel.
They may include connecting lines, in particular junctions of new lines or lines upgraded for high-speed with town centre stations located on them, on which speeds must take account of local conditions.
(b)High-speed lines shall comprise:
specially built high-speed lines equipped for speeds generally equal to or greater than 250 km/h,
specially upgraded high-speed lines equipped for speeds of the order of 200 km/h,
specially upgraded high-speed lines which have special features as a result of topographical, relief or town-planning constraints, on which the speed must be adapted to each case.
2. The high-speed advanced-technology trains shall be designed in such a way as to guarantee safe, uninterrupted travel:
at a speed of at least 250 km/h on the lines specially built for high-speed, while enabling speeds of over 300 km/h to be reached in appropriate circumstances;
at a speed of the order of 200 km/h on existing lines which have been or are to be specially upgraded;
at the highest possible speed on other lines.
3. High-speed train services presuppose excellent compatibility between the characteristics of the infrastructure and those of the rolling stock. Performance levels, safety, quality of service and cost depend upon that compatibility.
This is a reference to the Treaty establishing the European Community, now Article 155 of the consolidated version of the Treaty. The lines comprising the trans-European network are identified in Schedule 8 to these Regulations.