The UK government is evaluating a cost-effective ‘HS2-light’ rail line proposal as part of a comprehensive infrastructure review aiming to address future capacity needs.
- This new line, intended to run between Birmingham and Crewe, could be up to 40% cheaper than the original HS2 plan.
- The impetus for this proposal is the forecasted capacity crunch on the West Coast mainline once HS2 begins operations in the 2030s.
- Labour mayors and government officials advocate for this development to enhance passenger and freight capacity across the Midlands and Northern England.
- A final decision is anticipated in the coming months, pending outcome of a spending review and upcoming fiscal policy announcements.
The UK government is actively considering a more economical alternative to its high-speed rail project, known as ‘HS2-light’. This proposal forms part of an extensive review of the nation’s infrastructure strategies, seeking to strike a balance between enhancing capacity and managing costs. The proposed rail line aims to connect Birmingham and Crewe, enabling faster train services compared to the existing West Coast mainline yet at a slower pace than the original HS2 plans. By adopting this approach, the government estimates potential savings of up to 40% compared to the original project’s costs.
This strategic move arises from the National Audit Office’s warnings about a potential 17% decline in rail capacity between Birmingham and Manchester, a scenario likely to unfold when HS2 becomes operational in the 2030s. Addressing this anticipated ‘capacity crunch’ is now deemed critical to maintain efficient passenger and freight services.
Transport Secretary Louise Haigh has affirmed that the HS2’s southern terminus will be London Euston rather than Old Oak Common. This detail aligns with the broader plan to potentially proceed with the ‘HS2-light’ line after the spring’s three-year fiscal review. The project’s funding could further hinge on fiscal rule changes, which Chancellor Rachel Reeves is expected to disclose in her forthcoming budget.
Key figures, including Labour mayors Andy Burnham and Richard Parker, have expressed strong support for the initiative. They emphasize the necessity of constructing a new rail line north of Birmingham to strengthen the transport linkages between the Midlands and northern regions. Their recommendations have found resonance in a report led by Sir David Higgins, former chairman of the HS2 Ltd, suggesting an extension from Lichfield in Staffordshire to High Legh in Cheshire. This would include connections to the anticipated Northern Powerhouse Rail.
Henri Murison, CEO of the Northern Powerhouse Partnership, underscores the urgency of this proposal, describing it as the sole practical solution to the region’s capacity concerns. ‘A solution which connects the north and Birmingham with a new line will also link Leeds and the northeast,’ he stated, advocating for the project’s significance.
Recognizing current inefficiencies, a senior government source admitted, ‘There is a realization in government that what they’ve got at the moment is a complete dog’s breakfast and that something needs to be done.’ This acknowledgment further propels the conversation towards action, with a definitive decision on the ‘HS2-light’ line expected soon.
The forthcoming months are pivotal as ministers deliberate the UK’s rail infrastructure future, awaiting key fiscal and strategic decisions.
