A CLEAR indication that the north-east leg of HS2 between Sheffield and Leeds could be developed early, in conjunction with plans for the ‘Northern Powerhouse’ and HS3, is given in a new government report.
The ‘Rolling Stock Perspective’ document – published by the Department for Transport and introduced by Rail Minister Claire Perry, who describes it as “a first issue of a perspective from the Department on rolling stock” – also discloses that procurement of new high speed trains in readiness for the opening of HS2 in 2026 will begin ‘around the end’ of next year.
The DfT’s report states: “HS2 Ltd continues to consult and engage worldwide with relevant rolling stock manufacturers, including those with UK assembly capabilities, to inform its procurement strategy. It is anticipated that the procurement will commence around the end of 2016 with high-speed services commencing in 2026.
“In addition, we are looking at the development of rail between the city regions of the North to support the Northern Powerhouse, including the shared use of HS2 tracks, which would almost certainly require new rolling stock. This is part of a Government commitment to expanding connectivity in the North of England and would require rolling stock suitable for these services.”
It is now clear that deferment of North Trans Pennine electrification – which was actually well known more than a month before the recent statement to parliament regarding Network Rail’s problems with cost control – is related to the future long-term strategy for east-west rail links in the North.
As Railnews has reported previously, one option that is being closely examined by HS2 Ltd, under its chairman David Higgins and in conjunction with the new Transport for the North authority – which was recently granted £30 million start-up funding in the Summer Budget – is an entirely new line from east of Manchester, then passing through a new tunnel under the Pennines north of the original Woodhead Tunnels, before joining the Sheffield-Leeds leg of HS2 at a delta junction.
With a top speed of 225km/h (140mph) on the Trans Pennine leg, this could enable journey times between Manchester and Leeds or Sheffield of just 30 minutes – the stated aim of Transport for the North.
HS2 Ltd is also examining how the existing Leeds City station might be expanded to handle both HS2 and HS3 trains in place of the original plan for an HS2 terminus at New Lane. This could be achieved by having many fewer train services starting and terminating at Leeds – instead, joining them up and operating them as regional ‘through’ services.
Across the railway network as a whole, the Rolling Stock Perspectives report estimates that between 2,824 and 3,934 additional vehicles will be needed by 2024, helping “to demonstrate the need for new rolling stock for passengers – under any scenario there will be growth.”