01.09.15
HS2 works will shut lines for 183 weekends
Major HS2 phase 1 works that cannot be accommodated during normal working hours will see the closure of several lines for roughly 183 weekends, according to HS2 Ltd figures that have just come to light.
This will include 19 weekends at Euston station – which Network Rail recently admitted would require better planning than London Bridge – from 2015 to 2017, affecting the West Coast Main Line with full and partial closures and trains diverted elsewhere.
Old Oak Common will be closed during 33 weekends between 2021 and 2025, affecting both Crossrail and Great Western Main Line with reduced services and occasional full closure.
Other affected lines include Derby to Birmingham lines for 32 weekends, the West Coast Main Line due to 31 weekends of Handascre area congestion, the Chiltern Lines for 17 weeks, any future services on East West Railway for 47 weekends, and the Coventry to Leamington Line for four weekends.
In total, 87 passenger lines will close for two or three days in the weekend alongside 20 freight lines, while half of that amount will take up only one day.
But other factors such as engineering design revisions, more detailed construction planning, uncertainties over approval processes or unforeseen delays could affect these estimates.
Campaigners from HS2 Action Alliance reacted angrily to the figures, accusing HS2 Ltd of being “less than honest” with travellers. Spokesman Richard Houghton said: “It is planning a huge number of weekend closures, which will impact the travelling public. Combined with this, the arrogance continues. It is planning to issue £7bn of supplier contracts before the hybrid bill passes through parliament and now we discover it will start closing Euston before they have the legal go-ahead for the new line.”
HS2 Ltd did not deny the figures for upcoming disruption and David Meecham, their spokesman, told the Guardian: “There will be times when construction impacts on the current railway, but this will be carefully planned with Network Rail and the train operators. HS2 Ltd will do all it can to minimise disruption to passengers.
“Compensation to the train operators for any such disruption will be drawn from the existing budget for the HS2 project.”