NEWS ANALYSIS
option likely to show lines diverging to the east and west of the country route, those living close to stations are expected to see house prices rise.
from Birmingham. The report is also likely to suggest possible connections Second only to routing options is the secrecy surrounding the likely cost
with what’s now being termed the ‘classic’ railway. After the first line to the of both the first line and indeed the whole network. Instead of suggesting
West Midlands has been completed, trains coming from the north should a specific figure, what’s likely to emerge from the report will be costs within
be able to access the new fast line and connections with routes like the a broad range.
West Coast Main Line somewhere in the Midlands are vital. With some of the biggest civil engineering projects often ending up
Of course, running on both high-speed and classic railways will need a well over budget, not actually specifying the exact cost of HS2 would seem
special type of train. That’s in addition to rolling stock to run exclusively to be a clever move. Once the detail has been worked up over the next
on the high-speed route. It’s expected that HS2 will be engineered and few years, the range will shrink, giving a much better idea of the eventual
costed for speeds of up to 400kpm, faster than even the French TGV cost. And when it comes to finding the money, the report is expected to
network. Although there had been talk of building the line with give ministers advice on possible funding sources. However it’s likely that
four tracks to future-proof it, the route that will emerge from money for the first line to the West Midlands will come mostly from public
the report is expected only to have two, which it’s thought sector sources.
should deliver enough capacity. On timescales, it’s more difficult to be definitive. The best estimate appears
It’s suggested that the trains will be 400 metres long, to be construction starting around 2017 with the first trains running to the
making them longer than even Eurostars. That means that West Midlands by 2025. The timetable depends on the planning process,
the line will need all new stations and, in some places, sites which will be kicked off by a consultation exercise that, regardless of a
have already been assessed for a second completely new city centre station. change of government, is expected to take place sometime in 2010. The
In Birmingham, where New Street station is about to be refurbished, a consultation won’t be quick, though it’s likely to take several months and,
new station would most likely to be located in the city’s under-developed as with HS1, will no doubt be highly controversial. But this time round,
‘Eastside’ area, giving the city two stations with what’s being termed as with lessons learned from the past, the planning process should run more
an ‘interchange‘ station likely to be built close the airport and National smoothly and government efforts to streamline the planning process for
Exhibition Centre. projects of national significance, should also help. The HS2 report, when
One site that’s being seriously considered would also place the station it’s finally published, should make interesting reading!
next to the M42 and M6 motorways. Although experience from SNCF
suggests that city-centre to city-centre journeys are preferable, in the case Peter Plisner is the BBC’s Midlands transport correspondent:
of Birmingham there appears to be a strong business case for two high- peter.plisner@railpro.co.uk
speed stations to be built in the city. Both the track and trains will be built
to European standards to provide interoperability, and each train should
be able to carry around 1,200 passengers, perhaps more if duplex ‘double
decker’ trains are used. It’s understood that the business case rules out use
of this type of train any further north than Birmingham.
The exact route the line could take remains confidential, mainly because
of worries over blight. However, it’s understood that a lot of time and effort
has been put in to minimise the impact of the route – both environmentally
and where it touches major communities. There will obviously be some
property impacts, but those working on the scheme have, in the past,
indicated that most people living along the route will not be heavily affected.
Although in some areas property value will fall because of proximity to the
The best estimate appears to be construction
starting around 2017 with the first trains running
to the West Midlands by 2025
.uk
es.co
.r
ailimag
www
HS2 may run
alongside the WCML.
january 2010 : rAIL profESSIoNAL 15
RPJan10 pp14-15_News Analysis.indd 15 11/12/09 13:07:22
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