Tuesday, November 15, 2016

News: Government looks East of Rotherham for HS2

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The Government has given a clear indication that the £55.7 billion HS2 project will reach the North but a decision on a station and route in South Yorkshire has been delayed.

Given a funding envelope of £55.7 billion in 2015 prices, the new North-South high speed train link should reach Birmingham in 2026 and Manchester and Leeds by 2033.

The South Yorkshire HS2 station location was initially chosen as Meadowhall but a new option announced in July proposes that HS2 services between London and Sheffield would take a spur off the high speed line and travel directly to the existing Sheffield Midland station using the existing railway line.

A city centre station solution for Sheffield high speed services would allow the main HS2 line to be built east of the previously proposed route, following the M1 and M18 through Rotherham before heading through the Dearne Valley.

The Government has now said that, in line with the Sir David Higgins route proposals from July, it proposes that "HS2 should serve Sheffield with a connection to the existing station with the main route be moved further east." Consultation is taking place before a final decision is made next year.

It follows from opposition from residents and local MPs who believe that the latest route offers all of the problems but none of the benefits. The Sheffield City Region Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) and Combined Authority said it will commission an independent study to explore ways to minimise HS2 Ltd's new proposed line's impact on local homes, communities and businesses.

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Transport Secretary Chris Grayling said: "HS2 is an ambitious and exciting project and we must seize the opportunity it offers to transform our country for future generations. The route decision I have published today takes us an important step closer to realising the full potential of HS2.

"The full HS2 route will be a game-changer for the country that will slash journey times and perhaps most importantly give rail passengers on the existing network thousands of extra seats every day. They represent the greatest upgrade to our railway in living memory.

"But while it will bring significant benefits, I recognise the difficulties faced by communities along the route. They will be treated with fairness, compassion and respect and, as with Phase One, we intend to introduce further compensation which goes over and above what is required by law."

The announcement added that the Secretary of State is minded to accept the recommendations from July as the Government's preferred option as it offers a connection to Sheffield city centre, reduces capital costs and "reduces the overall line of route impacts."

The consultation also discusses the potential for the spur into Sheffield to be connected back into the HS2 line around Thurnscoe and Clayton to enable services to Leeds.

Regarding a potential parkway station on the proposed new HS2 route in South Yorkshire, HS2 Ltd is now undertaking work with local stakeholders to examine whether there is a case for constructing such a station and how best to serve demand in the wider city region.

HS2 Ltd website

Images: HS2


2 comments:

Rob Foulds November 15, 2016 at 11:10 AM  

Why is that only Quisling and the other public purse parasites think "HS2 is an ambitious and exciting project"

Mr me November 15, 2016 at 7:33 PM  

Hope theyre more a accurate buliding this than.there map,dont think Barnsley is 3times bigger than Rotherham,otherway round id say!

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