Easternlegof HS2Phase2b 'critical-' Greengauge21
TRANSPORcTonsultant Greengauge21saysthe Eastern Arm of HS2Phase2b isa critical part of an IntegratedRailPlan for the Northand Midlandsbut hascalledfor greaterclarity overits roleandfunction.
A new reportfrom the high-speedrailspecialisst ays that not settingout a clearrole for the Birmingham-TotonYorkshirerouteriskscreating a neweast-wesitmbalance acrossthe Midlandsand North of England.
Reportco-authorJimSteer said:"WithGovernmennt ow seekingan integratedrail plan for the area,we haveto askif this isthe bestapproach.
"With a prospective astern armdeliverydate20-25years ahead-the 2040s- it isan approachthat risksadding a neweast-wesitmbalance, insteadof helpingGovernment's levellingup agenda.
'Economicboost'
"It couldbe 10yearsbehind Birminghamandthe NorthWest getting the economicboost ofHS2:'
Toprevent his,Greengauge 21 is recommendingfour key amendmentsto the Phase2b plan,whichiscurrentlyunder review.
Tomaximisethe rolethe easternarmcanplay,the Governmenst houldrecognise this north-east/south-west corridorprovidesa clear opportunityto transform connectivityfor mostof the Englishcorecitiesand many keytownstoo, providinga focuson bettercross-country connectionsratherthan to/ from London.
In placeof the planned shuttleservicesbetween terminalstationsin Birmingham and LeedsH, S2shouldalso ensurethe North Eastand SouthWestareserveddirectly by trainsthrough Birmingham and Leeds.
Greengauge21 alsowants to seeNottinghamaddedto the HS2network,via a link over currentroutesfromToton,and athree-phaseplanto build the easternarmof Phase2b to get earlybenefitsandstimulate economicregenerationasearly aspossible.
Northernend
Thiswould involvestarting constructionfrom the northernendwith the Leeds to Sheffieldsection,followed by Birminghamto Nottingham and finally a centralsection to link the two, and providing a fastconnectionto the East CoastMainLine.