Union Connectivity Review on linking HS2 with the West Coast Main Line

“The UK Government has already acknowledged some of the issues identified by the Review.

“The ‘Golborne Link’ - the current proposed connection between HS2 and the WCML - is expected to deliver quicker journey times and more capacity between England and Scotland and resolve some of the constraints between Crewe and Preston. However, the ‘Golborne Link’ does not resolve all of the identified issues.

“The suitability of alternative connections between HS2 and the WCML have been considered by the Review. The emerging evidence suggests that an alternative connection to the WCML, for example at some point south of Preston, could offer more benefits and an opportunity to reduce journey times by two to three minutes more than the ‘Golborne Link’. However, more work is required to better understand the case for and against such options.”