Greengauge 21 report calls for phased work on eastern arm

A new report by consultancy Greengauge 21 argues that major changes are needed to the plan for HS2’s eastern arm that serves Leeds and Sheffield, to ensure that the Government’s regional rebalancing agenda can be met

HS2’s Eastern Arm co-author Jim Steer points out that the aim of Phase 2b ten years ago was to provide comparable LondonLeeds journey times with those to Manchester, which would mean trains running non-stop through the East Midlands.

“The original ambition is understandable in headline terms, but with Government now seeking an integrated rail plan for the area, we have to ask if this is the best approach,” he said.

“With a prospective eastern arm delivery date 20-25 years ahead (the 2040s), it is an approach that risks adding a new east-west imbalance, instead of helping Government’s levelling up agenda. It would be ten years behind Birmingham and the North West getting the economic boost of HS2.”

The report argues that plans should be changed to reflect the importance of the South West-North East corridor and to improve cross-country connections to places such as Cardiff and Edinburgh, with route upgrades increasing line speeds.

It also says that Nottingham should be placed on the HS2 network, linked directly from the south, and that the eastern arm of the railway should be built in three phases to start generating economic benefits as early as possible.

These three phases should be: firstly Leeds-Sheffield, building part of the railway from the north; then Birmingham-Nottingham; and finally, a central section linking the first two phases.

It also suggests that the third and final section could be located within the East Coast Main Line corridor, with investment on the northern section of the ECML to increase line speeds. Full electrification of the Midland Main Line would also be needed for the eastern arm to work, because so many of its train movements will also use it to complete journeys.

The report also questions whether it is necessary to build Phase 2 to EU loading gauges (to potentially allow double-deck rolling stock). It suggests that construction to the UK loading gauge would lower costs and eliminate the need for dedicated platforms for HS2 trains at stations such as Leeds.

Steer added: “This doesn’t mean abandoning the planning work to date at all. Indeed, developments around an expanded city station in Leeds and at a new station at Toton in the East Midlands should be accelerated.”

But he warned: “Alongside these accelerated and broadened benefits, we have identified where some key savings in capital costs can be made. Value for money is going to be critical, we sense, in setting rail spending priorities ahead.”