A passenger delighted by the HS2 decision

I WAS a little surprised that our local politicians did not embrace more enthusiastically the decision to truncate HS2 at East Midlands Parkway. The previous plan was to have a rail hub at Toton, from which passengers from Derby and Nottingham were expected to join HS2.

It would have been a repetition of the frequent mistake made in railway history – namely, to put a station in a most inconvenient place for the passengers it was hoped to serve. As a regular user of the Derby to London through service I was not attracted by the additional

hassle of getting from Derby to Toton and changing trains. I felt that any savings in time achieved on the quicker HS2 line from Toton would be swallowed up in the time it took to travel from Derby to Toton and change trains.

Also, passengers prefer to avoid changing trains, if they can. A change at Toton was envisaged.

Under the new proposals, I shall board the train at Euston and be whisked up HS2. Yes, I shall notice a slowing down as we approached East Midlands Parkway, but within about another 30 minutes I shall be getting out at Derby from the same carriage which I boarded at Euston. Through-trains from London to Derby and Nottingham will be run alternatively.

Yes, Leeds has missed out, but they already have a crack electrified route down the east coast main line into Kings Cross. Linking Manchester to Leeds and Bradford is more important.

I am delighted that the decision has been made to electrify the

Midland Main line up to Sheffield. The picture would be complete if the Government electrified the line from Sheffield to Leeds.

Roger Patten, Allestree