10.02.14
HS2 should be built north to south – Greengauge 21
Councils in the Midlands and the North of England are calling for earlier development of HS2, with more connections to existing stations.
Greengauge 21 looked at local government responses to the consultation on phase 2 of the line and identified a number of themes; for HS2 to be developed from north to south, to be built earlier, with more connections to existing lines in the North and the Midlands, and with complementary investment to deliver good transport access to HS2 stations.
The Crewe-Lichfield segment of phase 2 and Manchester Piccadilly’s station should be built in the mid-2020s, with a new integrated station at Crewe. A selection of HS2 in Yorkshire should be advanced to relieve congestion and very slow sections of the existing network, Greengauge 21 suggested.
A short link between HS2 and the Midland Main Line would also provide access to Derby.
Greengauge 21 director Jim Steer said: “Looking at investment in new lines and the existing network together in the North and Midlands in the way we have identified is likely to lead to the discovery of ways to reduce overall project costs as well as advance the economic benefits for the North.
“And it is essential to realise that experience across Europe has shown us that regeneration can start in locations served by high-speed rail in advance of its opening. Anticipation, once it is clear this type of investment is going to happen is enough to attract the development community.”
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