30.11.15
Meadowhall remains DfT preference – but it leaves options open
HS2 station location has been a source of constant debate and frustration in the past few years, as the government, engineers and designers try to solve the connectivity conundrum without letting costs spiral completely out of control. City centre stations are expensive beasts, but are likely to reduce door-to-door journey times.
The Department for Transport is now “minded to agree” with the idea of an integrated hub station for Leeds, but says Meadowhall is still the best site for the south Yorkshire station.
In ‘High Speed Two: East and West – The next steps to Crewe and beyond’, published today, the government says: “Many responses to the phase 2 consultation recognised the good opportunities for onward connectivity to Sheffield city centre and the wider South Yorkshire region that a station at Meadowhall would provide. However some respondents gave a preference for locating the station in Sheffield city centre.
“One such site would be at Sheffield Victoria, a currently disused railway station on the north side of the inner ring road.
“Sheffield Meadowhall remains the Government’s preferred station location. However, we recognise the arguments put forward for a city centre station in Sheffield and we continue to explore them. We are committed to ensuring that HS2 delivers the largest possible benefits and continue to work with local partners to ensure that Sheffield city centre will benefit from HS2.”
