HS2 OVERVIEW
Cllr David Becket
May 2013
INTRODUCTION
David is a candidate for the LGA Economy and Transport Board (Lib Dem). He has been asked his views on HS2, which is the major transport project of this age. This overview presents his current thinking. The Overview is divided into three sections: (1) Staffordshire (HS2 as it affects the county), (2) HS2 summary, (3) Actions that we should be taking.
STAFFORDSHIRE
With no station in Staffordshire and HS2 running through the middle of the county it is both an economic and environmental disaster for the County. Stoke on Trent and North Staffordshire are particularly hard hit. Stoke will have fewer services to London, and will lose its hourly non-stop service. Large areas are being prepared for industry at Crewe, and business will migrate from Stoke and Newcastle to Crewe. Other areas such as Cannock and Stafford are also adversely affected. Staffordshire County Council and Stoke on Trent City Council are working with the government and HS2 to obtain improvements. David fully supports these negotiations.
HS2 SUMMARY
The perceived wisdom is that HS2 will boost the economy of those areas it serves. There appears to be no advantage to other areas, South Coast, West Country, South Wales and East Anglia. The National Audit Office have raised serious concerns relating to the case for HS2 and the cost effectiveness, and it has come under fire from the Public Accounts Committee.
Some LGA member authorities are totally opposed to HS2 , and have formed 51M to fight it, some member authorities support it, some have reservations whilst other authorities have not stated an opinion.
Future capacity is a key argument for HS2, whilst the true figures may be less than predicted by the HS2 programme this is an issue that needs addressing. 51M have produced an alternative solution to the capacity issue.
ACTIONS REQUIRED
We cannot continue with an expensive project of this nature with the Department of Transport and the National Audit Office so far apart. An urgent independent evaluation of the project is required. This evaluation should also include the 51M proposals for increasing capacity.
If the evaluation shows the case for HS2 as proposed is weak then alternatives must be considered. One alternative is to build the line at sub 200MPH. This will use tried and tested technology, reduce the cost, reduce the environmental impact but still offer increased capacity and reduced journey times.
Any other alternative should be considered with the position of rail within an integrated transport strategy. We do not have such a strategy, HS2 is not a strategy it is a project.
Whilst the LGA is unlikely to come to a unified view on HS2 it is in a position to put together, area by area, the transport requirements (particularly rail) throughout the country.
How can rail assist the economy of the country? By helping exports is one obvious answer.
This means efficient cost effective freight routes to major ports. (The rail access to Southampton from north and midlands is dire. Some improvements are being made to the Felixtowe route, but more could be achieved).
It means business men can travel efficiently to their destination once they arrive in the country. This includes improved access to Heathrow from Midlands and West (originally in the HS2 proposal but now removed), and ease of access to Eurostar from all parts of the country. (Achieved either by direct trains or a connection infrastructure that does not involve travelling across central London by tube/taxi).
Time taken to travel across London does not only affect international travellers. For example the % time saved travelling from Euston to Manchester by HS2 is considerably reduced if the actual journey is from Croydon to Salford.
These are areas where the LGA could make a significant input, and take a proactive role.
Cllr David Becket
Borough of Newcastle under Lyme