Research published today by Greengauge 21 shows that building HS2, the new high-speed line from London to the West Midlands, opens up lots of opportunities for new services on the existing rail network to meet local needs.
“Services which simply cannot be fitted on today’s network will become viable once HS2 is built”, says Jim Steer, Greengauge 21 Director. “Nonstopping inter-city services from the North and the Midlands to London will transfer across to HS2, making space on the West Coast Main Line for more freight on rail and more local services.”
“Towns and cities along the route will be better off – and these places include Lichfield, Tamworth, Nuneaton, Rugby, Northampton, Milton Keynes and Watford. Rail services to these and other destinations will be faster, more frequent and with much better connections. Peak period travel restrictions can be ended.”
“It also becomes possible to operate new connecting and cross country services that would need to travel short distances on the West Coast Main Line”, he added. So, East West Rail – the project long sought after between Oxford and Milton Keynes – becomes possible. The case for the Croxley Link – near Watford – will be much improved because of the transformed service at Watford Junction.
Places impacted by the construction of HS2 could have new services – for example at:
- Kenilworth (with a direct London service)
- The Aylesbury – Amersham corridor (new services over the Croxley Link)
- Bicester and Winslow (new services to Milton Keynes)
- Lichfield (fast regular services to London).
“But the benefits from the new capacity freed up on existing lines by HS2 needn’t stop there,” says Jim Steer. “We have very recently seen the withdrawal of the through service to London from Wrexham and Shrewsbury which could not be fitted onto the West Coast Main Line.”
“Post-HS2, this service could operate much more rapidly to London once the West Coast Main Line is freed up, and mid Wales could be connected too. Walsall could gain a London service and commuter services in the West Midlands can be expanded.”
“While there is demand for these services, without HS2, they would require major infrastructure upgrades that would not be justified. HS2 provides that capacity as a spin-off benefit.”
“And let’s not forget the hugely expanded role that railfreight can play, reducing the number of lorries on the roads, once it becomes possible to increase services on the West Coast Main Line.”
The report concludes that those with electoral responsibility for the places affected by HS2, whether in Parliament or in local government, should examine the propositions in this report carefully. “Many places in southern England, as well as further afield, will benefit from the advent of HS2. These gains are just as much a consequence of the investment as those that will be experienced in Birmingham and the larger cities of the north that will get direct HSR services”, Greengauge 21 said.
It beggars belief that ‘they’ try to sell HS2 to the country by suggesting it will make other rail services better? No it won’t. Once HS2 gets underway all the available money for transport schemes will be sucked up by the biggest infrastructure money drain this millennium (aka HS2!). nWouldn’t it be wise economics to use a fraction of the cost of HS2 to upgrade the current rail services from Birmingham to London and then use the remainder of the money (if u00a334bn is really burning a hole in Osborneu2019s pocket?) keeping front line police on our streets, putting nurses and midwives into hospitals, giving students an affordable education and supporting families when they fall on hard times?nSurely managing crime on our streets, educating our young people, protecting the nationu2019s health and well being and supporting those in need more about the Big(ger) Society?n
Fact – the country needs HS2 to improve North South mobility – the M1 and M6 just don’t cut it, the cost of fuel is going through the roof, and WCML is going to be full of traffic. The WCML upgrade cost nearly u00a38billion, so if you think upgrades are going to be a fraction of the cost of HS2, you’ll be disappointed. This country needs HS2 – more than just a high speed link, it represents a step change in mobility for people, and it empowers them to make better choices as to how to travel North-South, and hopefully to the continent. I am sorry that to do this, it will disturb your countryside, but many of us will be grateful for your inconvenience, and you will no doubt be compensated, either for your property, or by an increase in your property value as experienced by those along the HS1 route. nnMy top tip for anti HS2 campaigners – start applying pressure for an HS2 Parkway halfway along the route – say Bicester? Your property prices will rise even higher!