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HS2: Phase two report proposes new station for Crewe | HS2: Phase two report proposes new station for Crewe |
(about 3 hours later) | |
A report into the route of the second phase of the controversial fast train project HS2 is expected to recommend a new station be built in Crewe. | A report into the route of the second phase of the controversial fast train project HS2 is expected to recommend a new station be built in Crewe. |
It means a bid by council leaders for Stoke to be included on the line is likely to be rejected. | |
Monday's announcement is set to recommend sticking with a plan to split the line in two after the London to Birmingham stage opens in 2026. | Monday's announcement is set to recommend sticking with a plan to split the line in two after the London to Birmingham stage opens in 2026. |
HS2 will then be extended to Manchester and to Leeds via Sheffield by 2032. | HS2 will then be extended to Manchester and to Leeds via Sheffield by 2032. |
The scheme's boss, Sir David Higgins, has spent months looking at whether the government has got the right route for the second phase of HS2 in the north of England. | The scheme's boss, Sir David Higgins, has spent months looking at whether the government has got the right route for the second phase of HS2 in the north of England. |
The government's earmarked route for the western branch of the second phase of HS2 - which will see trains will travel at 225 mph (362km/h) - ran through Crewe. | |
The initial plans suggested HS2 would connect with the West Coast Main Line south of Crewe, before continuing in a tunnel under the town heading north. | The initial plans suggested HS2 would connect with the West Coast Main Line south of Crewe, before continuing in a tunnel under the town heading north. |
But both Crewe and Stoke launched business cases for new stations to be built. | |
The Crewe option proposed an out-of-town station while Stoke offered a city centre station linking up to its university quarter. | |
Stoke council had suggested its route was greener and cheaper and would deliver benefits to more people. | |
Analysis | |
By Richard Westcott, BBC transport correspondent | |
This report is likely to rubber stamp the current plans for HS2 north of Birmingham rather than propose big changes. | |
The shape will be the same, the stations in roughly the same places, although a new station at Crewe could have a knock-on effect. | |
Stations are the most expensive things, so if Sir David Higgins wants to build a new station at Crewe, and keep costs down, one option is to lose a station elsewhere. | |
The most likely candidate is Manchester Airport, because the others all serve cities. This doesn't mean they will definitely delay building it, but they might. | |
I am also expecting some urgent warnings about the state of transport in northern England. | |
Sir David has been looking at various options to speed the trains up across the Pennines, between Leeds and Manchester. | |
It's a 40-mile trip that takes nearly an hour and the roads aren't much better. | |
Momentum is building to spend money connecting up the great northern cities to boost the economy. | |
All the cash has been aimed at London and the South East recently, especially with the brand new line, Crossrail. | |
Another station between Derby and Nottingham may also have to be moved to a slightly different location, said our correspondent. | Another station between Derby and Nottingham may also have to be moved to a slightly different location, said our correspondent. |
Construction on the £50bn HS2 project is due to start in 2017. | Construction on the £50bn HS2 project is due to start in 2017. |
Objectors to HS2 have said the scheme will cause an unacceptable level of environmental damage, loss of homes and disruption to many communities. | Objectors to HS2 have said the scheme will cause an unacceptable level of environmental damage, loss of homes and disruption to many communities. |
But in January the Supreme Court rejected a legal bid to force further scrutiny of the first stage of the government's plans. | But in January the Supreme Court rejected a legal bid to force further scrutiny of the first stage of the government's plans. |
Alongside HS2, Sir David's report will also update the government on what has been dubbed HS3 - a plan to speed up existing services between Leeds and Manchester. He has long warned that poor transport is throttling growth across northern England. | Alongside HS2, Sir David's report will also update the government on what has been dubbed HS3 - a plan to speed up existing services between Leeds and Manchester. He has long warned that poor transport is throttling growth across northern England. |