By: John Porter

John Porter — Thu, 11 Jan 2024 12:03:24 +0000

Something needs to replace HS2 Phase 2 eventually. NCE online reported on 6th December that “The mayors of the West Midlands and Manchester… have formed a private sector group to explore how rail connectivity can be improved between their two regions.”
Elsewhere a link from HS2 to the Birmingham to Derby line was considered as part of the Integrated Rail Plan (IRP). A formal high speed line to Trent Junction was funded within the £96bn IRP and a much cheaper alternative is still feasible – if HS2 trains replace the existing Cross Country Nottingham/ /Derby to Cardiff service. The Cardiff service can simply be diverted via Leicester and Birmingham Moor Street, which is adjacent to HS2 Curzon Street – a project already funded by money recently reallocated from HS2 Phase 2.
Alongside that HS2 trains reaching Derby in 55 to 60 minutes, could replace the Birmingham New Street & Airport to Sheffield, York and beyond Cross Country services – if some HS2 trains divide at Derby or Birmingham.
To keep those reasonable ambitions alive, affordable Passive Provision at Euston and north of Birmingham is needed for connections to Derby and for a few HS2 trains to be diverted to Euston WCML platforms IF EVER needed. The latter requires the short third HS2 Euston approach tunnel planned for 10 HS2 platforms to be kept – and modified a little during the current pause.
A privately funded compromise at Euston is well worth considering – if it relieves BOTH the WCML & Midland Main Line and is consistent with Mayors Burnham & Street’s current north of Birmingham study.

By: David Hall

David Hall — Thu, 11 Jan 2024 11:16:57 +0000

Doesn’t the artists illustration heading this article point to where so much cost is going … overindulgent, over engineered solutions, trying in ridiculous way to satisfy everyone … and in the process satisfying none with its cost and time debacle.
It sounds like the new Chief is again failing to remember that when you point your finger at others, there are three fingers pointing back at yourself … and the ‘yourself’ here is the whole enterprise, design and contractor community as well as client.

Comments on: HS2 chief says government’s inability to afford construction schedule contributed to overruns

By: John Porter

By: David Hall