14.03.16
HS2 defends itself against derailment claims
HS2 Ltd has defended itself following allegations that its trains could derail at top speed, saying it is mitigating potential safety risks.
In research, commissioned by HS2 and seen by the Daily Telegraph, Professor Peter Woodward, Atkins Professor of High Speed Railways at Heriot Watt University, says that the 225mph speed limit proposed for HS2 risks creating track and embankment instability and causing rapid deterioration of the track, ballast and sub-ballast that may lead to derailment and track failure.
Professor Victor Krylov of Loughborough University also told the Telegraph that the train was in danger of the Rayleigh wave, a ground-vibration boom which causes a sudden, large increase in ground vibrations.
However, Ben Ruse, spokesperson for HS2, said: “We support the work by Prof Woodward. We recognise the need to mitigate for the phenomenon of Rayleigh waves and we have done.
“The detailed design will be based on the specific ground investigation works we are undertaking as we get access to all the route.”
The HS2 committee published its final report last month, laying out recommendations including a longer Chilterns bored tunnel, greater noise protection for Wendover, better construction arrangements in Hillingdon, and a re-modelled maintenance depot at Washwood Heath as the HS2 Bill prepares to go through Parliament.
In a speech at the Northern Powerhouse International Conference, HS2 chair Sir David Higgins said that the proposed train line is leading to greater investment and transport opportunities across the country.