Sheffield city centre should be served by High Speed 2 trains rather than building a parkway station at nearby Meadowhall, the rail project’s chairman has suggested.
Sir David Higgins has put forward a revision for phase two of the high speed route as it passes through South Yorkshire, which could save £1Bn from the build cost. It would see so called ‘classic compatible’ trains serve the city centre from a dedicated link off the main high speed line.
He also suggests that the rail route be moved further east than currently planned to run parallel with the M18, giving faster journey times from London to Leeds, York and Newcastle.
Sir David Higgins said: “The decision as to where to locate the HS2 station in South Yorkshire has proved one of the most difficult we have faced. Whilst there is clearly a need for a station stop in South Yorkshire, it also has to be seen in the context of the rest of HS2.”
Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin responded by saying he will make an announcement on the HS2 phase two route, of which South Yorkshire is a part, later this year.
“Should I decide to adopt the report’s recommendations as my preferred option in South Yorkshire I will then hold a public consultation in order to allow local stakeholders and affected communities the opportunity to comment on the proposal,” he said.
High speed rail campaign group Greengauge 21 director Jim Steer welcomed the proposed route alteration. “The preferred approach put forward by HS2 Ltd brings major cost savings as well as bringing HS2 to the heart of the city of Sheffield. It means that across the north all the cities of HS2 will have central locations rather than parkways.”
Member of Parliament for Sheffield Central Paul Blomfield also supported the suggested change. “I’m delighted that HS2 bosses have agreed that high speed rail should go to Sheffield city centre. Bringing passengers to the heart of the city will boost the local economy.”
But Wentworth & Dearne MP John Healey said: “I am dismayed to see these surprise new plans to drop Meadowhall as South Yorkshire’s HS2 stop. The number one purpose of this change is clearly to cut costs and I fear the so-called ‘spur line’ into Sheffield is simply a sop to the city. We can’t have the new high speed line to Leeds running right through South Yorkshire but not stopping in South Yorkshire.”
(Image: Capita)
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