Over 100 towns and cities could benefit from quicker, more frequent journeys
Over 100 towns and cities on Britain's existing railway lines could benefit from quicker, more frequent journeys and better connections when HS2 phase two is complete.
Delivering more capacity
Our new report 'Better connections: options for the integration of High Speed 2' sets out initial proposals for how HS2 could be integrated into the national rail network once the second phase connecting Birmingham with Leeds and Manchester is complete.
It considers three broad approaches to how the capacity released by HS2 could be used in advance of more detailed assessments of the benefits:
• 1. 'Do minimum' approach – this would keep train services on existing lines broadly the same, offering reduced crowding and increased choice for passengers between high-speed and conventional long-distance services at certain locations
• 2. 'Incremental' approach – this seeks to replace long distance services on the existing network which are replicated by those provided by HS2, allowing the capacity to be used for improved inter-urban connectivity and/or additional commuting capacity
• 3. 'Integrated connectivity' approach – a more radical concept which would see all future rail services planned in a 'hub and spoke' model to complement and work in conjunction with HS2
Better connections: options for the integration of High Speed 2(PDF 2.4 MB)
“HS2 provides an opportunity to fundamentally reshape our railway in a way that incremental improvements simply cannot deliver. It is a chance to stop playing catch-up on capacity and instead look at how the rail network could deliver a step-change improvement towards key national goals – economic growth, reduced carbon emissions and an improved quality of life for communities and individual passengers.
This study is part of a wider programme that looks at how the high speed and existing lines might work together as a single network. We will continue to work with local authorities and other stakeholders to understand how we can make best use of HS2 and welcome feedback on this initial study in advance of more detailed assessments of the benefits,” Paul Plummer, group strategy director, Network Rail.
Integrated connectivity option
The approach found to offer the greatest potential benefits was the integrated connectivity, or 'hub and spoke', option. This would see long distance services principally provided by HS2, with services on the existing network set up in a feeder pattern to provide frequent and reliable connectivity between surrounding areas and the 'hub' stations. It was felt by all stakeholders attending a series of workshops that this approach could create new opportunities to improve inter-regional, commuter and freight services and promote a shift in journeys from road to rail.
More on high speed rail development.
