In its submission, TfN also suggests “extending NPR and HS2 services north to Scotland” along with ensuring that “key Northern stations such as Preston, Carlisle, Darlington and Newcastle are fully HS2 ready”.
The submission adds: “West Coast Mainline capacity improvements and ensuring connectivity from stations along the route can be enhanced (as outlined within our STP) We also strongly support efforts to improve the East Coast Mainline (ECML) between Newcastle and Scotland, extending NPR services to Edinburgh via ECML to connect the key financial centres of Edinburgh, Newcastle and Leeds.”
Other opportunities identified by TfN include clear investment plans for key road connections and cross-border freight options.
High Speed 2 (HS2) stations in Manchester and Leeds face a major design rethink following publication of the National Infrastructure Commission’s (NIC’s)
Current plans are for terminus stations in both cities, but the report says that through stations offer better connectivity, higher capacity and better operational efficiency in city centres.
Expedition Engineering director Alistair Lenczner said that building terminus stations in both cities would repeat problems caused by 19th century railway planning.
Manchester and Leeds originally had terminus stations that were either replaced by new through stations or modified to allow some through running. Other cities whose terminus stations were eventually replaced by through stations include York, Birmingham, Bristol, Edinburgh and Newcastle.
The Government is asking everyone to help control the spread of coronavirus by trying to reduce journeys during this new period of national restrictions. If you need to travel, for example to work, for education or other legally permitted reasons, then you can, but you should walk or cycle where possible. Please plan ahead and if possible travel during quiet times.
We will continue to run as much of the network as possible and will update our website with any service changes. Please check before you travel.
We’re doing all we can to make sure those who need to travel can continue to use public transport safely and everyone must continue to take the simple steps of good hand hygiene, wearing a face covering in stations and for your whole journey, and social distancing wherever possible.
UK railway news round-up
Rail fares in England to rise above inflation for first time since 2013
Rail passengers will be hit by an above inflation fares rise for the first time in eight years,
Ticket prices will increase by an average of 2.6% from March 1 next year, which is July’s Retail Prices Index (RPI) measure of inflation plus 1%.
Successive governments have linked fare rises to RPI since January 2014, but the DfT said this policy has been axed due to the “unprecedented taxpayer support” handed to the rail industry over the past 12 months.
Network Rail fined £135,000 after boy injured while trespassing on tracks
Summary
The National Infrastructure Commission has now published its Rail Needs Assessment for the Midlands and the North. With the HS2 Phase 2a Bill nearing completion of its passage through Parliament, this blog considers the future of the Western and Eastern legs of HS2 Phase 2b in the light of the NIC’s Assessment.
On Monday 14
th December the House of Lords completed its consideration of the High Speed (West Midlands – Crewe) Bill, the Phase 2a Bill. The House of Commons will now consider the amendments to the Bill made in the Lords and if it disagrees with any of them there will be final ‘ping-pong’ between the Houses and the Bill will then receive Royal Assent. Phase 2a is the relatively uncontentious part of Phase 2, to continue the railway authorised by the High Speed (London - West Midlands) Act northwards to Crewe.