A coalition of transport specialists and campaigners have written to the brand new Secretary of State for Transport, Louise Haigh, to name for 4 key selections to be made on the following steps for Britain’s high-speed rail community, to be able to flip the HS2 railway at the moment below development right into a “transformative high-speed backbone”.
HS2 tunnel entrance subsequent to the M25 motorway (c) ianVisits
The letter focuses on smaller-scale initiatives that may be delivered shortly, at comparatively low value, and below current laws, which is able to each ship main capability advantages to the rail community shortly, in addition to laying the groundwork for a wider high-speed community sooner or later.
The letter – titled “Repair the Backbone: Elevate the current, go away room for the long run” – focuses on two key areas: Euston, on the London finish of the road, and Staffordshire, the present northern finish.
At Euston, the signatories have known as for a return to a two-phase plan, in order that work on the primary part (six platforms) can resume as quickly as doable, making certain high-speed trains can attain Central London as soon as it opens, as an alternative of getting to terminate at Outdated Oak Frequent. Leaving room within the wider redevelopment of Euston Quarter for a second part (5 platforms) will guarantee HS2’s design capability of 18 trains per hour into London will be totally exploited sooner or later, if the community is later expanded.
In Staffordshire, the signatories are calling for work to urgently start on extending the high-speed backbone past the at the moment deliberate finish at Handsacre Junction, bypassing what they name ‘Britain’s largest bottleneck’, bringing to the road to or close to to Crewe. They argue this may be performed utilizing current parliamentary powers, which had been already handed to construct HS2 Part 2a in 2021.
The letter refers to this new line because the ‘Stafford Bypass line’.
Lastly, signatories have known as for the safeguarding and retention of land between Crewe and Manchester, till the federal government (or a future authorities) are keen to decide to bringing high-speed rail to town and have determined how the road from London will work together with Northern Powerhouse Rail, and what type Manchester Piccadilly ought to take.
Enroute, a transport analysis and advocacy group, has spearheaded the joint letter. Different signatories embrace the Marketing campaign for Higher Transport and expert-led coverage analysis group Greengauge 21.
David Frankal, Joint Chief Government of Enroute, mentioned: “We nonetheless imagine, within the long-term, that growth of high-capacity high-speed rail throughout the nation is a matter of when, not if. It’s a disgrace the Authorities received’t decide to bringing the road to Manchester simply but, but it surely nonetheless has the chance to make a hit of the road we’ve got below development proper now, and crucially to go away provision in for that future growth.
“That is the second these selections should be made, earlier than capability limitations are baked into stations like Euston. Getting this proper will assist us drive modal shift to public transport and enhance the economic system, particularly within the North of England.”
This text was printed on ianVisits
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