Crewe hub go-ahead gets thumbs--up from industry
PRESSURE groups and regional businesses have welcomed the Government’s decision to support the development of an integrated high-speed and conventional rail hub at Crewe.
Secretary of State for Transport Chris Grayling confirmed on March 12 that plans will now be modified accordingly for HS2 Phase 2a, which is due to open in 2027. This will include the construction of a redesigned junction to the south of Crewe, enabling HS2 to take over the two central running lines through the Cheshire railway town’s existing station.
The length of Platform 5 will also be extended to 400 metres in order to facilitate the splitting and joining of two 200-metre-long HS2 trains. This will enable additional services to run to destinations in the north using classic-compatible trains without the requirement for any additional paths on HS2 itself, between Crewe and London Euston.
In order to use this extra capacity, Grayling has asked the franchise operator West Coast Partnership to include a high-speed service to Stoke-on-Trent in its market development and service plans.
Meanwhile, on the western side of the station an additional through platform could be built on the independent (freight-only) lines at Crewe. Network Rail will, however, continue to evaluate whether reinstating Platform 13
would be a more cost-effective alternative. A new transfer deck would then be built above the platforms with new access planned for the east and west sides of the station. This would relieve pressure on the station’s constrained main entrance at its northern end on Nantwich Road, and support local regeneration.
Finally, a new junction to the north of Crewe could also be built to enable HS2 trains to call at Crewe and then rejoin the HS2 main line once Phase 2b opens in 2033. This proposal has not yet been funded, however, and will not be treated as part of the main package of works for HS2 Phase 2a. All these interventions combined would enable an estimated five to seven HS2 services to call at Crewe.
Grayling said: “A Crewe hub could generate significant opportunities – not only for Crewe, but also the surrounding region. To fully realise that vision will need central and local government to work together and require future decisions to be taken as part of Phase 2b.
“The steps we are taking will ensure Crewe and Stoke-on-Trent can benefit fully from HS2 and builds on the earlier decision to bring the benefits of HS2 to Crewe from 2027, six years earlier than planned.”
Grayling’s statement followed a Government consultation on the Crewe hub vision which ran from July 17-October 12. It drew 146 responses from individuals and stakeholder organisations which Grayling revealed had shown broad support for initial proposals.
Campaign group Greengauge 21 said it welcomes the Government’s commitment to develop Crewe, which since being partially modernised in the 1960s is “badly outdated with poor road access and a poor track layout”.
The group added: “The hub station’s catchment across North West England, North Wales and
the North Midlands will benefit from this tremendous boost to connectivity.”
Midlands Connect endorsed the prospect of high-speed services calling at Stoke-on-Trent and Stafford, which is said would help the Constellation Partnership’s vision for an additional 100,000 homes and 120,000 new jobs across Staffordshire and East Cheshire by 2040.
Midlands Connect Chairman Sir John Peace said: “We look forward to working with local authority partners and the franchise holder West Coast Partnership to develop plans for a high-speed service serving Stoke-on-Trent and Stafford, which could be transformational for the area.
“We will continue to work on options for enhanced regional road and rail improvements, and will also continue to support Stoke-on-Trent’s and Staffordshire’s ambitions to attract national and international investment which will enhance opportunities for businesses and residents in the area.”
Ashley Rogers, chairman of the North Wales Business Council and member of the Growth Track 360 campaign, said he welcomed investment in the Crewe hub and the wider regional connectivity it would bring, but urged the Government to quickly confirm plans for a northern junction.
He added: “As the Growth Track 360 and West & Wales campaigns have highlighted, this is a pivotal connection that will unlock the benefits of HS2 for people living and working across the north of England and north Wales, boosting regional economies and connecting cross-border communities which otherwise risk becoming cut off and isolated.
“We are pleased to see that the overwhelming cross-border support for a proper hub at Crewe has been acknowledged by government and we broadly support the proposed alterations to include more platform capacity and scope for splitting trains at Crewe.
“We remain concerned that transfer times could be lengthy and that freight paths will be limited if the avoiding lines remains an option. The deferment of the northern junction to a later phase is also a concern and more information is needed to clarify funding streams to support the delivery of additional capacity.”