show ad Stuck in the slow lane: 40 per cent of France’s renowned high-speed TGV trains still run on regular tracks, damning report says * Report claims France's high-speed rail system often fails to meet its key aims * Blames local authorities for wanting TGV to pass through their -- * As a result there are now 230 stations across 'incoherent' national network * Comes after British Government announced its plans for HS3 line * Project will see East to West high-speed rail in addition to controversial HS2 By Ray Massey for MailOnline -- comments Long-hailed as a role model to Britain, France’s much-lauded high speed TGV trains are ‘running out of steam’ according to a damning report by French financial watchdogs. Some 33 years after the launch of the first TGV - Train à Grande Vitesse or ‘high speed train’ - 40 per cent of the trains still travel on conventional track rather than the specially built high-speed lines. Watchdogs say the system often fails to meet its key stated aims on what is described as an ‘incoherent’ network. 'Running out of steam': Watchdogs say the high-speed rail network often fails to meet its key stated aims on what is described as an ‘incoherent’ network. Above, a file picture of a TGV train 'Running out of steam': Watchdogs say the high-speed rail network often fails to meet its key stated aims on what is described as an ‘incoherent’ network. Above, a file picture of a TGV train 'Running out of steam': Watchdogs say the high-speed rail network often fails to meet its key stated aims on what is described as an ‘incoherent’ network. Above, a file picture of a TGV train -- The report will make alarming reading for the UK Government on the day it announced its own ambitious new plans for an East to West high speed rail – dubbed HS3 – in addition to the already controversial planned HS2. RELATED ARTICLES -- * [1414352480175_Small_Preview_galleryImage_Mandatory_Credit_Photo_by .JPG] Ministers give the go-ahead for THIRD high speed rail link:... [1414409088243_wps_20_HS2.jpg] High speed rail is needed... so Manchester United fans from... [1414433364344_Small_Preview_galleryImage__Ruckas_Videograbs_01322_ -- In the UK cities like Stoke and Liverpool have also been pressing to be part of Britain’s high speed network, with Sheffield wanting a stop in the city centre rather than at the Meadowhall out-of-town shopping centre. Alarming: The report was released a day after the UK Government announced its own plans for an East to West high speed rail – dubbed HS3. Above, David Cameron pictured today after a conference on the rail network Alarming: The report was released a day after the UK Government announced its own plans for an East to West high speed rail – dubbed HS3. Above, David Cameron pictured today after a conference on the rail network Alarming: The report was released a day after the UK Government announced its own plans for an East to West high speed rail – dubbed HS3. Above, David Cameron pictured today after a conference on the rail network -- estimated cost of £7billion. £7billion is also the mooted cost of the Northern HS3 route from Liverpool to Hull via Manchester and Leeds. -- The French rail users’ association vice-chairman Jean Lenoir, told Le Parisien on Sunday that axing high speed stations was “going in the wrong direction’ and would complicate things for the traveller’. -- Share or comment on this article: 40 per cent of France's renowned high-speed TGV trains still run on regular tracks