HS2

Changed HS2 Sheffield route puts more pressure on TfN and Northern Powerhouse Rail

Changes to the HS2 route through Sheffield have been met with a mixed reaction from the West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA), which warned that they put more pressure on Transport for the North and Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR) to make the case for the necessary upgrades.

HS2 Ltd published new plans recently for the high-speed route to stop at Sheffield Midland instead of Meadowhall in a bid to save £1bn from its £55bn budget.

In a paper published ahead of tomorrow’s board meeting, the WYCA said that the proposed change “puts more emphasis on Northern Powerhouse Rail/Transport for the North to make the case for and fund the necessary upgrades/links”.

At the same time, the report said the new proposals have made the promised faster journey times between Leeds and Sheffield less certain.

It also said that they require more clarity about the impact of the changes on the wider West to South Yorkshire rail network and the East Coast Main Line, as well as more commitment to the parkway that could serve south Wakefield and north Barnsley.

The WYCA said the new proposals open up the possibility of bringing forward HS2 in Yorkshire, for instance by establishing NPR services between Leeds and Sheffield before the HS2 eastern leg is finished.

However, the report said that it was positive that HS2 “had listened to the views of partners”, following criticism of its engagement with those affected by the network.

It added that HS2 is becoming more open about integrating with NPR, including allowing non-HS2 trains to use its track.

The report also included the latest results of an ongoing consultation on how to maximise the benefits of NPR for the region.

It said that there should be an NPR stop at York and a location between Leeds and Manchester, probably Bradford, in order to offset concerns that the current route options are too focused on connections between the major cities of Leeds, Manchester, Liverpool, Sheffield, Newcastle and Hull.

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