New 50-mile railway line will be built through Staffordshire first
A new 50-mile railway line has been unveiled as a slower and cheaper alternative to the scrapped HS2 project. And the Staffordshire section of the new rail line will be built first.
The proposal is to build a new line that will emulate what was the Phase 2b of the government's HS2 project. It will run between Lichfield and High Legh in Cheshire, creating a new link between Birmingham and Manchester.
A staged delivery has been proposed, with the section between Lichfield and Crewe known as the ‘Staffordshire Connector’ being built first, with the ‘Cheshire Connector’ north of Crewe following, which the report says would allow progressive release of benefits and more efficient delivery. The Staffordshire section would use land and powers already secured for HS2 Phase 2a, whereas the section past Crewe is still to be determined.
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A report commissioned by the mayors of Greater Manchester and the West Midlands, found that creating a new rail link between the Midlands and the North West is critical to enhance capacity for passengers and freight moving between the regions.
The coalition of private sector organisations led by former HS2 Ltd chairman Sir David Higgins described an alternative new line as a “golden opportunity”.
In October last year, then-prime minister Rishi Sunak cancelled a plan to extend HS2 between the West Midlands and Manchester amid spiralling costs.
The report did not provide an estimated cost of the new project, but said financing should be “maximised from the private sector”, with central and local governments “partnering to fund the balance”.
It stated that despite services being slower than if HS2 were built in full, journeys between London and Manchester would be only 15 minutes longer than under initial plans for the high-speed railway, which would still be 30 minutes quicker than today.
The consortium found the new line has the potential to deliver “roughly 85% of the benefits of HS2 Phase 2” at 60-75% of the cost.
Costs would be lower than with HS2 because of the need to design tracks for lower speeds and using simplified connections with the existing rail network, according to the report.
Another method to save money will be from using ballasted track, whereby rails are supported by a layer of crushed rock and gravel.
HS2 will be built using slab track, which means rails are fixed onto a solid base, which is more expensive.
The report said the proposal would also “save the taxpayer £2 billion on costs” from the HS2 Phase 2 cancellation through re-using much of the land, powers and design work already secured through public funds.
The consortium recommended that the Government maintains ownership of land acquired for HS2 Phase 2a between the West Midlands and Crewe.
It also called on ministers to establish a “steering group” involving the private sector, combined authorities and the Government to produce a feasibility study and technical analysis.
Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burham said: “The report is clear: if we fail to put in place a plan soon to fix rail capacity and connectivity between the North and the Midlands, the already-congested West Coast Main Line and M6 will become major barriers to economic growth in the UK.
“But there is good news for the Government. The report concludes that we do not have to revive HS2 to unlock those benefits.
“There is a viable option to build a new rail line between Lichfield and High Legh, connecting HS2 to Northern Powerhouse Rail, with almost all of the benefits of HS2 delivered quickly and, crucially, at a significantly lower cost.”
West Midlands mayor Richard Parker said: “Additional rail capacity to and from the North is vital for the West Midlands.
“It’s about more than quicker journeys, it’s about connecting people, communities, and businesses to jobs and opportunities.
“I’ll work with the Government to ensure this happens.”
Sir David said: “Our review sets out a plan to get connectivity between the Midlands and the North West back on track.
“We don’t pretend that solving the rail challenges between these two places will be easy. We know it will be hard graft.
“What we need now is for the new government to work together with the business community and combined authorities.
“Take the practical steps to make a new rail link a reality.
“We have conclusively shown that a new line can be built cheaper and faster – we now need to get on and deliver it.”
Councillor Nick Mannion, leader of Cheshire East Council, responded to the announced proposal by saying the council welcomes the news.
Cllr Mannion said: “The council welcomes today’s publication of proposals for a new rail link between the Midlands and the North West, which would replace the scrapped Northern leg of HS2.
“We are also pleased to see Crewe included in the preferred solution for improving connections between Manchester, Liverpool, Birmingham and London, and that the report recognises Crewe’s importance as a rail interchange, its role in the regional economy and the regeneration potential.
“It is critical for Cheshire East that trains connect and stop at Crewe. Crewe needs to be at the heart of whatever follows in place of HS2 and we will be seeking conversations with the consortium so that we can further understand these proposals and the full implications.”
Cllr Mannion added: “Crewe’s 360-degree connectivity and strategic position makes it fundamental to delivering on the region’s transport ambitions and we are supportive of proposals that ensure any new services connect and stop in Crewe.
“Any proposal that doesn’t deliver this cannot truly provide an integrated network or realise the full transport and economic benefits in Crewe, Cheshire East or the North West as a whole."