Government reveals ‘game-changer’ plans for HS2 in the North

Chris Grayling MP has today (November 15) confirmed the majority of the preferred high-speed rail route in the North West, West Midlands and Yorkshire.

In what could be a major boost for the UK’s future economy, the Transport Secretary revealed plans for the HS2 line from Crewe to Manchester and the West Midlands to Leeds.

A new command paper entitled High Speed Two: from Crewe to Manchester, the West Midlands to Leeds and beyond has set out the vision for the network in the North.

On its western leg, HS2 will continue north from Crewe to Manchester Airport, and then on to a new HS2 station next to Piccadilly in Manchester city centre.

Further, there will be a connection to Liverpool and the existing West Coast main line, enabling HS2 services to continue northwards.

On its eastern leg, HS2 will continue from the West Midlands to Toton in the East Midlands, where a HS2 station serving Nottingham, Derby and the wider region will be built.

From the East Midlands, HS2 will continue to South Yorkshire. The government paper proposed that the network should serve Sheffield at its existing station, with the main route to be moved further east

From South Yorkshire, the high-speed trains will continue on to a new HS2 station in Leeds city centre and connect onto the East Coast Main Line, serving York, Newcastle and other cities in the North East.

Mr Grayling commented: “Our railways owe much to the Victorian engineers who pioneered them, but we cannot rest on their legacy when we face overcrowding and capacity problems.

“HS2 is an ambitious and exciting project and the government is seizing the opportunity it offers to build a transport network fit for the 21st century; one that works for all and makes clear to the world that Britain remains open for business.”

He continued: “The full HS2 route will be a game-changer for the country that will slash journey times and perhaps most importantly give rail passengers on the existing network thousands of extra seats every day. They represent the greatest upgrade to our railway in living memory.”

“But while it will bring significant benefits, I recognise the difficulties faced by communities along the route. They will be treated with fairness, compassion and respect and, as with Phase One, we intend to introduce further compensation which goes over and above what is required by law.”

Communities Secretary Sajid Javid said: “The new HS2 routes laid out today will make sure our plans to create an economy that works for everyone remain right on track.

“We are determined to get both the Midlands Engine and Northern Powerhouse firing on all cylinders and HS2 will help create new growth, jobs and homes right across the line.”

Once operational, the HS2 trains will transport more than 300k people daily and triple the seats available from London’s Euston station during peak hours.

The government has also forecast HS2 to create around 25k construction jobs and support wider economic growth worth an estimated 100k jobs.