The western leg of HS2 Phase 2b to Manchester should be prioritised over the eastern section to Leeds, according to the National Infrastructure Commission (NIC).
The NIC’s Rail Needs Assessment – released today – contains an analysis of five different options for rail investment.
All five options call for the western leg of HS2 Phase 2b connecting Crewe and Manchester to be built as planned.
However, under three of the options, the eastern leg of HS2 Phase 2b would be scaled back, either by replacing it with local route upgrades or delivering the HS2 route in phases.
The assessment also calls for a rethink of Toton station, with East Midlands Parkway suggested as an alternative East Midlands hub station.
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THE government’s rail advisers called today for regional rail links to be prioritised over HS2.
The National Infrastructure Commission (NIC) has recommended that the government focus investment on boosting mainline services across the North and the Midlands rather than the eastern leg of the high-speed railway to Leeds.
Its Rail Needs Assessment stated that it would be “potentially cheaper and faster” to deliver improvements to regional journeys through a combination of new lines and upgrades, rather than Phase 2b of HS2.
However, TSSA general secretary Manuel Cortes warned ministers that they would be “liars, thieves and charlatans” if they short-changed the North and Midlands by not delivering HS2 in full.
Outrage as Government told to scrap Toton HS2 station
There is also a recommendation to look at extensions to the line incrementally
12:33, 15 DEC 2020
A view of Toton Sidings. (Image: Press Association)
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Leaders in the East Midlands have expressed dismay after a formal review recommended that the Government drop plans to build the High Speed 2 station at Toton.