In Focus: Regional rail must come first
Insider editor Richard Abbott says HS2 could be a game changer for Leeds but it must not be at the expense of local transport.
The government's plans for high-speed rail will be an expensive and drawn-out journey, much akin to travelling at peak times on the rattling trains from Harrogate to Leeds, but enough about my commute.
The government's approval of a high-speed rail network (HS2) between London and the West Midlands, and potentially onwards via a second phase to Leeds and Manchester, has polarised opinions like no other issue this year.
Up until recently I was sceptical, citing the colossal expense within the context of a prolonged economic downturn and also the damage inflicted on the countryside. Work on the Leeds arm of HS2, if approved, would not start until the 2020s and it could be 2033 when it finally opens.
My big worry remains that other, equally important, transport initiatives could be shunted aside.
Insider has been campaigning for Network Rail's £560m Northern Hub plan to be backed in full. The plan would herald faster and more frequent services to and from Leeds and Sheffield and across the Pennines to Manchester.
It was reassuring to hear transport minister Norman Baker tell Insider last week that HS2 would not replace investment in other projects, but you do worry how much future transport budget HS2 will gobble up.
An urban-transit system for Leeds is crucial. The Department for Transport is dragging its heels on the proposed trolleybus scheme for Leeds, despite the clear benefits. City leaders could be forgiven for thinking the idea has been "kicked into the long grass" (to coin a phrase that appears to be flavour of the month in media coverage of HS2).
Back to HS2, though. The business case for Leeds is proven and compelling. A connection to the high-speed rail network would position Leeds as a premier UK destination. The city would become a hub for investment, whether business or leisure, and it would create a lot of jobs.
Small wonder Sheffield is campaigning so strongly for the line to call at the 'Steel City'.
Those who argue that Leeds already has a decent service to London, with East Coast trains doing the journey in just over two hours, miss the point. It's about capacity, not journey time. If current passenger volume trends continue, East Coast's trains will be full and standing within a few years (many services already are).
High Speed rail in Leeds would be transformational. Just let's not forget the importance of fast and frequent services within our own part of the world.
For more information on Insider's campaign for the Northern Hub project to be backed in full, click here.
Recent Posts
Services
Dealmakers Services Directory
Directory Find an advisor to help you buy, sell or invest
Property Services Directory
Find an advisor across property services
Commercial Property Finder
Full commercial property listings in Yorkshire
Venue Finder
The online resource for business event organisers in Yorkshire
Christmas Parties Yorkshire
It's never too early to plan the perfect Christmas party
Guides
Yorkshire City View
The news, features and analysis that matter for your city
International Trade
Our guide provides expert analysis on a range of trade destinations
42 under 42 Members
The latest class of Yorkshire's brightest young business people
Back the Bid
Help Insider's campaign to improve the trans-Pennine rail network
- Contact us
- Midlands
- North West
- South West
- Wales
- Yorkshire
- Other regions
- 0121 232 0980
- 0161 907 9711
- 0117 906 5900
- 02920 434500
- 0113 220 4410
- 0161 907 9718
- Insider regions
- Central & East
- Ireland
- Midlands
- North East
- North West
- South East
- South West
- Wales
- Yorkshire