THIS WILL come as little consolation for the hundreds of commuters cursing rejected proposals for a Leeds trolleybus this morning while they sit in LS4, 5, and 6’s standstill traffic; but the Government has confirmed the route for the second phase of high-speed rail network the HS2.
phase 2b is scheduled for 2033.
To be constructed in two phases, the network will continue along East and West Coast main lines - serving Liverpool, Glasgow, York, Newcastle, Edinburgh, and more - as well as creating new routes continuing from the West Midlands to a new station in Toton - serving Nottingham, Derby, and the wider area - before continuing to South Yorkshire.
Sheffield will be served via a connection with its existing heavy rail station, with moving its main route further east. From here the line will continue to Leeds, and a new dedicated HS2 station build adjacent to the main Leeds Station
“The full HS2 route will be a game-changer for the country that will slash journey time and perhaps most importantly, give rail passengers on the existing network thousands of extra seats every day” says Transport Secretary Chris Grayling (The same one who poo-pood Leeds Tram plans). “The government is seizing the opportunity to build a transport network fit for the 21st century” - ignoring the fact our public transport system is currently stuck in about 1835.
Construction of the HS2 is expected to create around 25,000 jobs, and 2,000 apprenticeships, with its contribution to growth in the wider economy expected to be worth a further 100,000 jobs.
Original plans for HS2 phase two were set out in 2013. Since then, the government has split the development into two stages: phase 2a - from the West Midlands to Crewe - will open in 2027, and phase 2b - from Crewe to Manchester, and from the West Midlands to Leeds, South Yorkshire and the East Midlands - is scheduled for 2033.
