26.09.17
HS2 slams claim that line ‘won’t work’ without Crossrail 2
HS2 Ltd has this week hit back at claims that the planned high-speed line will “not work properly” without the proposed Crossrail 2 route.
Euston is one of London’s most crowded stations, already handling more than double its estimated 20 million passengers a year capacity – and a report in the Financial Times over the weekend suggested that this was an issue for some at HS2 Ltd.
Unidentified senior sources at the company were quoted as saying that the high-speed project was “dependant on Crossrail 2 for the train line to work properly at Euston” and to ease pressure on the already busy station.
But a statement sent to RTM by HS2 Ltd has reassured passengers that Euston will still be capable of accommodating for the extra passengers, even without the immediate extra capacity created by Crossrail 2.
“HS2 will help rebalance Britain’s economy by connecting eight out of our 10 biggest cities, increasing rail capacity on the current system and reducing journey times, while also creating thousands of jobs,” a spokesperson for HS2 told us.
“The arrival of HS2 will transform Euston station, provide much-needed extra capacity and unlock the full potential of the site to support thousands of new jobs and homes.
“We are confident that Euston will be able to handle the extra passengers that HS2 services will deliver and we are working with TfL to plan a major revamp of the existing Underground station.
“HS2 further supports the ongoing improvement to transport capacity and connectivity around the whole country.”
Over the summer, there was heated debate between transport leaders across the country over where future funding was best allocated in England, and whether Crossrail 2 was the right project for the government to focus on in the future.
Transport secretary Chris Grayling caused uproar by putting his backing behind Crossrail 2 just days after cutting three major electrification projects that would have been beneficial for northern links.
Previously, think tank IPPR North and local politicians have called on the government to provide better funding for transport across the north, a message that has also been endorsed by rail minister Paul Maynard.
Top Image: Ewan MunrT
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