Regional leaders from the North and Midlands have rallied behind a new report that presents a cost-efficient approach to enhancing rail connections across their regions, as opposed to the original HS2 eastern route proposals.

The report, instigated by the HS2 East group, introduces a three-phase strategy to bolster rail links between the North East, Leeds, Sheffield, East Midlands, Birmingham, and London.

This strategy builds on the UK government’s Integrated Rail Plan, launched in November 2021, and aims to improve inter-city and inter-regional rail connectivity significantly.

Interestingly, the proposed three phases would require just over £8 billion for successful implementation, resulting in a substantial saving of £7.4 billion compared to the anticipated cost of the original eastern HS2 scheme.

The first phase, scheduled for immediate roll-out and set to extend until the mid-2030s, would not incur additional costs as it capitalises on existing schemes. This includes the completion of the full Midland Main Line electrification and introducing new or enhanced services, such as a second fast hourly service from Sheffield to Leeds via the existing line.

The second phase, expected to be implemented between the late 2030s and early 2040s for £4.1 billion, would focus on filling the connectivity gap. This includes upgrading the high-speed rail line between Sheffield and Leeds, constructing a new ‘T’ shaped station in Leeds, and improving the East Coast Main Line between Doncaster, Leeds, and Newcastle.

The final phase, set to commence in the late 2040s and costing another £4.1 billion, will aim at further infrastructure improvements. This includes upgrading and electrifying the Erewash Valley line, enhancing the Nottingham-Newark route, and reopening the Leamside Line for freight diversion off the East Coast Main Line.

These three phases promise many benefits, such as faster travel times from Birmingham to key northern destinations, enhanced connectivity across the Midlands, Sheffield, Leeds, and the North East, and increased capacity at Leeds station. They also aim to improve rail performance and journey times between Sheffield, Wakefield, and Leeds following electrification and provide more flexible infrastructure to meet future service demands.

Leaders of the HS2 East group have already reached out to the government to discuss the findings of the report and negotiate how the proposed strategies can be integrated into the Terms of Reference for the Integrated Rail Plan Study, focusing on the introduction of HS2 trains to Leeds and increasing Leeds Station capacity.

Leeds City Council Leader James Lewis and Nottinghamshire County Council Leader Ben Bradley MP, joint co-chairs of the HS2 East partnership said:

“The North and Midlands desperately need the inter-city and inter-regional rail connectivity that will bolster our post-pandemic economic recovery and growth, better connecting our communities and bringing jobs and opportunities within easier reach.

“The Integrated Rail Plan will deliver major improvements to the overall national rail network, but it is the vital inter-city and inter-regional connections within the North and Midlands which will offer the greatest benefits to our communities in terms of economic uplift/benefits, along with encouraging use of sustainable travel and reducing our carbon impact.”

Cllrs Lewis and Bradley said: “By delivering these improvements in phases we can also realise the benefits sooner than the original proposals for HS2’s eastern leg, and we hope to work with government to discuss how we can achieve these for the benefit of the 13 million people living in our regions.”

Read the report at: https://hs2east.co.uk/hs2-east-slc-rail-report-july-2023/