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HS2 alternative 'would mean years of rail disruption' HS2 alternative 'would mean years of rail disruption'
(35 minutes later)
The alternative to building HS2 would need 14 years of weekend route closures and longer journey times, a government-commissioned report says. A government-commissioned report says the alternative to a new HS2 high speed rail link would see 14 years of weekend route closures and longer journeys.
The report, by Network Rail and Atkins, says upgrading existing rail lines would severely affect the East Coast, Midland and West Coast mainlines.The report, by Network Rail and Atkins, says upgrading existing rail lines would severely affect the East Coast, Midland and West Coast mainlines.
It says it would double travel times between Leeds and London. It says that would double travel times between Leeds and London.
The study will inform the government's updated business case for HS2, expected to be published this week.The study will inform the government's updated business case for HS2, expected to be published this week.
The report says that, in total, the lines would require 2,770 weekend closures involving 144,000 hours of work. HS2, which is designed to shorten journey times between London and the Midlands and the north of England, has attracted stiff opposition from some quarters because of doubts that the cost - last estimated at £42.6bn - will bring sufficient benefit.
Those living along its route also fear the disruption it will bring to their areas.
Conservative backbench MPs, some of whose constituencies are affected, may vote against the project.
'Hellish'
The report says that, in total, improving the existing lines, a plan seen by some as a better use of public money, would require 2,770 weekend closures involving 144,000 hours of work.
The BBC's transport correspondent, Richard Westcott, says he has been told it would cost £20bn to upgrade the UK's three existing north-south train lines.
Modelling a typical weekend, the report argues that the journey time from London to Leeds could be increased by two hours and 10 minutes to more than four and a half hours while the work is going on.Modelling a typical weekend, the report argues that the journey time from London to Leeds could be increased by two hours and 10 minutes to more than four and a half hours while the work is going on.
A journey between Huntingdon and Peterborough would be doubled to an hour.A journey between Huntingdon and Peterborough would be doubled to an hour.
Atkins has also concluded that residential and commercial demolitions would be required.Atkins has also concluded that residential and commercial demolitions would be required.
A government source said: "We need to do something because our railways are nearly full, but the alternative to HS2 is a patch and mend job that would cause 14 years of gridlock, hellish journeys and rail replacement buses.A government source said: "We need to do something because our railways are nearly full, but the alternative to HS2 is a patch and mend job that would cause 14 years of gridlock, hellish journeys and rail replacement buses.
"The three main routes to the north would be crippled and the economy would be damaged.""The three main routes to the north would be crippled and the economy would be damaged."
On Sunday, the Treasury Minister, Danny Alexander, told the BBC's Andrew Marr programme that he was "very confident" the HS2 high-speed rail project would be delivered within its £42.6bn budget.On Sunday, the Treasury Minister, Danny Alexander, told the BBC's Andrew Marr programme that he was "very confident" the HS2 high-speed rail project would be delivered within its £42.6bn budget.