Prosperity and jobs down the line with HS2, says minister
DERBY rail passengers will be able to access 250mph trains after the Government gave final approval to a high-speed rail network passing through the East Midlands.
City businesses welcomed investment that would come with the £32 billion project, while Transport Secretary Justine Greening raised the prospect of Bombardier building the super-fast trains.
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But residents living where high-speed track may pass were warned homes would be demolished, while others would be devalued.
Meanwhile, opposition groups claimed the Government had overstated the economic and environmental benefits of the scheme.
Ms Greening said: "A new high-speed rail network will provide Britain with the additional train seats, connections and speed to stay ahead of the congestion challenge and help create jobs, growth and prosperity for the entire country."
She added: "We are a Government that's making unprecedented investment in our railways now and that has to be good news for companies like Bombardier that make our rolling stock."
The Government's scheme will see a Y-shaped network built – running first from London to Birmingham before splitting, with one branch going to Manchester and another going through the East Midlands to Leeds.
Phase one from London to Birmingham is expected to open in 2026, followed by phase two through the East Midlands by 2033.
Ms Greening yesterday approved a detailed phase one route and the principle of a Y-shaped network.
There will be an East Midlands station and officials have considered the idea of having it between Derby and Nottingham, but confirmed that details of the route and stop would not be released till 2013 at least, with a consultation and decision in 2014.
Ministers say the network will generate benefits of up to £47 billion plus fare revenues of £34 billion over a 60-year period. They also argue it will create construction jobs as well as bolstering the UK rail industry.
Speaking to the Derby Telegraph, Ms Greening highlighted a decision to award Bombardier a contract to build carriages for Southern Rail and noted that another to build Cross Country Voyager trains was under discussion.
She added: "If procurement decisions [for HS2] are taken to procure rolling stock that is going to be built in the UK, of course, that would see broader benefits."
As well as potentially slashing 45 minutes off journeys from the region to London, officials say the scheme is carbon-neutral and could pull nine million journeys a year off the roads and 4.5 million off flights. It would also create extra capacity on the conventional rail network.
George Cowcher, chief executive of the Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire Chamber of Commerce, said: "Given that a proposed East Midlands spur could deliver economic benefits of around £3.8 billion, it's vital the Government gives a firm commitment to rolling out the second phase.
"Linking us to London and the wider European network will bring real benefits, boosting our ability to recruit staff, move goods and services and access wider opportunities to do business."
But opposition is strong – the Countryside Alliance said no evaluation had been made of the impact on rural communities and wildlife.
Director of property company Searchflow David Kempster said: "This is clearly a huge project that will lead to disruption on a corresponding scale. Hundreds of properties will need to be demolished and thousands will be blighted."
Meanwhile, the Taxpayers' Alliance claimed every British family would pay £1,000 for the scheme but few would benefit.
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by littlemoaner
Wednesday, January 11 2012, 12:48PM
“Mixed feelings as a practising Civil Engineer, but Im struggling to justify to myself why we actually need this, and what benifits it will actually bring relative to the cost and impact
I think the money could have been better spent on a number of other improvements that could have been implemented far quicker thus boosting the economy once the Olympics is over (which will co-incide with a slump in the construction industry”
by dave15248
Wednesday, January 11 2012, 12:35PM
“What a waste of money, just to knock 30mins off the journey time from B'ham to London, complete madness in my opinion.”
by BigBadBourbon
Wednesday, January 11 2012, 11:55AM
“Fuel prices go up, transportation in any guise will cost more and more - this is the future. By the time these plans are complete, the high fares will only allow those who can afford to use them to travel from their country residencies to their well-paid London jobs and back again.
This is not about removing people from the roads, this is about allowing people who work in London to live in an ever-expanding commuter belt. If the government really wants to remove cars from roads, this money would be better spent on sustainable and joined-up local public transportation schemes, enabling people to give up the car and not feel like a second-class citizen by using public transport, or by having to jump through hoops attempting to use it.
That and helping businesses where possible to allow home-working become more the norm for many employees.
Just as the world needs to become more local in as many aspects of life as possible, due mainly to rising fuel costs, our country decides to invest in a fuel-hungry transportation system to benefit the few. So much for Localism.”
by IwasRight
Wednesday, January 11 2012, 11:28AM
“I thnk we need a huge infrastructure project to kick start the economy. The minute Europe started going into recession Germany started digging up its roads. There are roadworks everywhere just to keep people employed and plough money back into their economy. HS2 is probably 2 years from the first spade entering the ground but better late than never I say.
I can't see me ever using it because i can get to London in 1 and a half hours anyway. When I get there I have to wait 30mins for a taxi. This new train will go to Euston and I'll still go to St Pancras with then lower taxi queues. Thank you HS2. I bet I will get to central London just as quick as you will from the East Midlands at probably half the price.”
by Derby_Stu
Wednesday, January 11 2012, 11:22AM
“Because our public transport systems are so far behind those in Europe in terms of quality and efficiency something has finally been done. So yes, this is probably all about national prestige.”
by Ted_Notts
Wednesday, January 11 2012, 10:31AM
“"I fear this is more like a project for national prestige than something we really need." - Andrew_Ilson.
Like the London Olympics then? I agree but it is more about personal than national prestige. All prime ministers feel a need to leave their marks in the history books. However, most just leave a brown smear.”
by Andrew_Ilson
Wednesday, January 11 2012, 10:14AM
“The budget deficit is concerned with UK 'running costs'. This is a capital investment i.e. this money would not otherwise be diverted back into elderly care etc. if it wasn't spent in this way.
That said I fear this is more like a project for national prestige than something we really need.”
by Andrew_Ilson
Wednesday, January 11 2012, 10:12AM
“The budget deficit is concerned with UK 'running costs'. This is a capital investment i.e. this money would not otherwise be diverted back into elderly care etc. if it wasn't spent in this way.
That said I fear this is more like a project for national prestige than something we really need.”
by shelley2009
Wednesday, January 11 2012, 10:00AM
“Adding extra carriages to the train and reducing the number of empty first class carriages would add extra capacity to the rail network and not cost the quoted 32 billion pounds. At a time when the government is unable to pay for care for our elderly, is making members of the armed forces redundant and is unable to offer young people any kind of future (all to do with the budget deficit), I am staggered that they think this proposed investment in a privately owned railway system is a good way to spend my money. I can get to London in an hour and 33 minutes - what is so important in anyones life that is worth the destruction of peoples homes, villages and forests to save 45 minutes???”
by DerbyBorn
Wednesday, January 11 2012, 9:07AM
“Lots of money for lawyers and others involved in Hearings and Reviewsas people protest against the railway.”