Committee backs £32bn rail plans
Plans for the government's £32bn high-speed rail (HS2) project have been backed by the House of Commons' Transport Committee following an inquiry. MPs said there was a "good case" for the network, adding that further consideration should be given to connecting HS2 with a Birmingham-Derby line.
The committee's report said there was a "good case" for the planned Y-shaped line, which would run from London to Birmingham and then on to the North West and Yorkshire. The lines would feature 250mph trains with capacity for up to 1,100 passengers.
The plan is for the London-Birmingham section of HS2 to open in 2026, with a phase two, Y-shaped extension taking in Manchester and Leeds being ready about 2032.
Louise Ellman, chairman of the Transport Committee, said: "A high-speed rail (HSR) network, beginning with a line between London and the West Midlands, would provide a step change in the capacity, quality, reliability and frequency of rail services between our major cities.
"A high-speed line offers potential economic and strategic benefits which a conventional line does not, including a dramatic improvement in connectivity between our major cities, Heathrow and other airports, and the rest of Europe."
But MPs expressed concerns about "the capacity to the north of Lichfield" in the interim period between phases one and two being completed.
It said that this issue should be considered, along with the possibility of a link-up between HS2 and the Birmingham-Derby connection.
"We recommend that this aspect be considered further, including the possibility of a connection between HS2 and the Birmingham–Derby line and Midland Main Line in phase one to provide access from the North East," said the report.
It also said the case for investing in a high-speed line between London and the West Midlands depended largely on the assumption that the full Y network would be completed.
It added that it was "disappointing" that "even basic information" on the line from Birmingham, such as the number and location of stations, was not available during the inquiry. The committee said the government should carry out an "urgent strategic appraisal" of this phase of the network.
Ellman added: "Construction of a high speed rail network should start with the line between London and the West Midlands, as this is where capacity needs are greatest. But we are concerned that under current plans high speed rail lines won’t reach Manchester and Leeds for more than 20 years."
The committee's report said that the government must also "firmly commit" to the Y-shaped network before seeking parliamentary approval for HS2. It also called on coalition to make clear how HS2 fits into its wider aviation strategy and said investment in HS2 must not lead to reduced investment in the ‘classic’ rail network.
Birmingham could benefit from commuters wanting to move to the city to take advantage of the transport links, the report acknowledged. It notes that the preliminary stations set for Birmingham would be located at Birmingham International Interchange; Birmingham International Airport and Birmingham city centre.
"The rapid growth in passenger numbers over the past 15 years shows the need to plan on a larger scale and for the long term," the report concluded. "We do not wish our successors to be faced with a situation in ten years time where demand has continued to grow but insufficient time remains to provide the necessary capacity."
