The government plans a new high-speed rail network, from London to Birmingham and to Manchester and Leeds, known as HS2.
Ministers say it will improve the transport network and boost
the economy but there has been controversy about the exact route of the
line and its effect on those living near it. Here are the key points
about the scheme.
What is HS2?
The
initial plan is for a new railway line between London and the West
Midlands, carrying 400m-long (1,300ft) trains, with up to 1,100 seats
per train. They would operate at speeds of up to 250mph - faster than
any current operating speed in Europe and would travel up to 14 times
per hour in each direction. This would be followed by a V-shaped second
phase taking services from Birmingham to Manchester and Leeds.
Intermediate stations in the East Midlands and South Yorkshire are also
planned.
What was announced for the second phase?
The
government's preferred route for the second phase of HS2 is a
double-pronged extension linking Birmingham with Manchester and Leeds.
The route northwards from Birmingham will have five stops: Manchester,
Manchester Airport, Toton in the East Midlands, Sheffield and Leeds. A
proposed spur to Heathrow Airport has been put on hold pending a review
of UK aviation policy, due to report in 2015. The details are not set in
stone, but come ahead of a formal consultation later this year. A final
route for phase two is expected to be chosen by the end of 2014.
What does HS2 mean for passengers?
Any other travel benefits?
The
government believes its creation would free up capacity on over-crowded
commuter routes. It also estimates the new line could transfer 4.5
million journeys a year from the air and nine million from the roads,
removing lorries from busy routes. The Department for Transport's consultation document
says HS2 would offer potential for new direct services to Europe, via
the UK's other high-speed line - the Channel Tunnel Rail Link - and to
Heathrow.
The government insists HS2 would use a similar fare structure to existing operators
When will it open and how much will it cost?
Construction
on the London-West Midlands phase is expected to begin around 2017 and
open in 2026. This estimate relies on Parliament approving the necessary
powers in 2015. The onward legs to Manchester and Leeds could start
being built in the middle of the next decade, with the line open by
2032-33.
In June 2013 the government revised the cost of the project
upwards, due to an increase in the amount of tunnelling required on the
route. This took the estimated budget from £32.7bn to £42.6bn at present
values - with the cost of phase one increasing from £16bn to £22bn.
What about fares?
There
has been no announcement on ticket prices. The government says its
proposals "assume a fares structure in line with that of the existing
railway" and that HS2 could generate sufficient demand and revenues
without needing to charge premium fares. It estimates fare revenues of
up to £34bn over a 60-year period.
Why are ministers so keen on the scheme?
The
government argues that Britain's rail network is reaching capacity, and
that infrastructure owner Network Rail says the southern section of the
West Coast Main Line - currently the quickest rail route between London
and Birmingham - will be "effectively full" by 2024.
Is there opposition in parliament?
HS2
will pass through around 70 parliamentary constituencies and local
groups opposed to the scheme are lobbying their MPs to vote against the
plans. Political pressure is mounting on Conservative MPs who will see
the route pass through their constituencies, and some have indicated
that they may vote against the government's bill when it reaches
parliament, including former Welsh Secretary, Cheryl Gillan, Andrea
Leadsom and Dan Byles.
The route of HS2 through parliamentary constituencies
Is there an economic argument?
The government claims the London-West Midlands section alone would create around 40,000 jobs. Groups such as the Campaign for High Speed Rail say there will be added knock-on benefits, while some MPs believe it could be a catalyst for economic growth and help rebalance the economy between the north and south.
A report commissioned by HS2 Ltd
argues that high-speed rail will significantly improve regional
economies through the increased potential of both the new faster
services and less congested local train services. The report claims that
the economies around Birmingham, Derby and Nottingham could be boosted
by up to 4% by 2037. The effect around Leeds and Greater Manchester
would be smaller, as the improvement to transport links is less marked,
with a maximum benefit to the economy of 1.7%.
The plan has attracted fierce criticism from some of those living on the intended route
What were the arguments against HS2?
More than 70 groups oppose HS2. One, StopHS2, argues that England's north and Midlands will lose out
to London, rather than benefit, and that projections do not take into
account competition from conventional rail. Others object on the grounds
that it will cut through picturesque countryside.
Eighteen councils along the route which are against the
scheme, known as the 51m group, say taxpayers cannot afford the line and
that it will increase greenhouse gas emissions. Some MPs, including
many Conservatives, are worried about its effects on their
constituencies.
How has the government addressed environmental concerns?
Former
Transport Secretary Justine Greening announced extra tunnelling and
"cutting" through hills from London to Birmingham, which she said would
"mitigate" more than half the route. There are new or extended tunnels
at Amersham in Buckinghamshire, Ruislip in north-west London, Greatworth
in Northamptonshire, Turweston in Buckinghamshire, Chipping Warden and
Aston le Walls in Northamptonshire, Wendover in Buckinghamshire and Long
Itchington Wood in Warwickshire. The extra tunnelling is a major factor
in the increase in costs for phase one of the route.
Has it addressed the concerns of those living on the proposed HS2 route?
The
government is looking into this. Its consultation on HS2 Ltd's property
and compensation for phase one closed in January. It included a
hardship scheme for residents who need to move during the development of
HS2, but are unable to sell their home, and measures designed to
"provide confidence in properties above tunnels". Details of its
consultation on HS2 Ltd's proposed exceptional hardship scheme for phase two were published in January.
What legal action have protesters taken?
Mr
Justice Ouseley, at the High Court, considered 10 points about the
government consultations on the scheme brought by protest groups. In
March 2013 he found in favour of the government in nine of these 10.
However the consultation into compensation for those affected was ruled
"unlawful". Ministers said they would not appeal against the ruling but
run the compensation consultation again. 51m was granted leave to appeal
on two counts.
French passengers have enjoyed high-speed rail travel for three decades
Were there any alternatives to HS2?
A Department for Transport-commissioned study into alternatives
identified options including increasing capacity by lengthening
existing trains and platforms (at a cost of £3.5bn), remodelling
infrastructure to increase service frequency (£13bn) and both increasing
capacity and reducing journey times by bypassing slow track sections
(£24bn). But infrastructure owner Network Rail says these would cause
massive disruption to passengers for limited improvement.
How does HS2 compare with current services?
Most
of the UK's main line inter-city services are limited to 125mph
(201km/h), with lower limits in places, while ageing diesel locomotives
operate in many areas such as the East Coast Main Line and Great Western
Main Line. Eurostar services operate at 186mph (300km/h) on the 68-mile
(109km) London to Folkestone line, HS1, which is shared by 140mph
(225km/h) Kent commuter services.
And with mainland Europe's railways?
France's
flagship TGV services have been touching 200mph (322km/h) since 1981.
They serve not only regional towns but those in Italy and Switzerland,
while the 186mph (300km/h) Thalys uses the same track to serve Belgium,
the Netherlands, France and western Germany. European Union efforts to
ensure compatibility mean services like the German-built InterCity
Express, which can reach 180mph, serve major destinations across much of
western Europe.
