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Peter Davidson   18/03/2016 at 13:10

I support the principles underpinning new rail line capacity as an integral element of long term UK transport strategy. However, the biggest single flaw in current HS2 plans is its lack of ambition. HS2 should form the first part of a much larger plan to connect a large majority of the UK into a future UK-wide High Speed Rail network. In that sense proposals for a new trans-pennine rail line; HS3 or NPR (or whatever title it goes by) are a positive step forward but as ever the devil is in the detail? NPR should be a largely new line, constructed (or where upgraded from existing track) to GC gauge compliance and linked seamlessly into both of the planned Eastern and Western arms of HS2 phase 2 - those junctions should enable both north and south bound services - in other words new High Quality, High Resilience, High Speed services between a range of UK provincial cities should be the final goal (Leeds to Edinburgh, Manchester & Liverpool to Glasgow) - all roads (or rail lines) do NOT lead to London, even in highly centralised Britain! The Merseyside Region's proposal to link Liverpool directly into any burgeoning UK High Speed network should also be encouraged by Westminster based strategists - it's a no-brainer to propose a future new rail line linking HS2 phase 2, westward into Liverpool, thus utilising very expensive existing plans, not just once but twice - two for the price of one! The recent Respublica paper shows how 60km, or about half of any future NPR Liverpool-Manchester-Leeds-Hull artery, could be in-situ by 2030. It just needs vision, combined with a concerted political will from Westminster and a much needed dose of common sense?

Nonsuchmike   18/03/2016 at 20:16

Do we really and truly need a dead-end terminus @ Manchester (or Leeds come to that)? What an expensive extravaganza and showpiece for male chauvinism that would be. Surely a better masterplan would be to build through stations in both cities which will benefit both north south and east west travelers whether using dedicated HS services or other fast and local trains. Short termism will restrict future generations of travelers and planners as well as build-in massive financial and physical constructional constraints for those who follow us.