UPDATED: 09.40
NEW proposals to solve the dispute about the site of the future HS2 station in Sheffield by diverting the line east of the city and serving the centre by a spur to the Midland Main Line instead have been welcomed by high speed rail campaigners.
The plans, unveiled today in a report by HS2 chairman David Higgins, have rejected previous plans to create a new station at Meadowhall on the grounds of expense, and the alternative of reviving the former station at Sheffield Victoria has also been ruled out because it would be intrusive and also costly.
The new option proposes that HS2 services between London and Sheffield would use a spur off the high speed line and travel directly to the existing Sheffield station. These trains, potentially running twice an hour, could also call at Chesterfield.
HS2 Ltd said high speed services to Sheffield using 'classic' trains could also continue later on to Meadowhall, Rotherham or Barnsley.
The report says the new route would cut journey times on services between London, Leeds, York and Newcastle, and would also reduce the cost of the project by around £1 billion.
HS2 Ltd said it will also investigate the possibility of a parkway station on the new route, which partly follows the M18 motorway.
HS2 Ltd chairman David Higgins said: “Projects of HS2’s size, scale and significance should seek to provide the maximum benefit for the people they serve. I have listened to the very constructive comments and discussions that have taken place on how HS2 should best serve South Yorkshire and recommend the option of HS2 services using the existing city centre station.
“Decisions of this scale sometimes involve compromise, and through dialogue I believe we have reached the best solution for South Yorkshire.”
Chair of the Sheffield City Region LEP Sir Nigel Knowles responded: "I am delighted that we have had the time to work constructively to ensure the city region could be best served by Britain’s new high speed rail network, which we expect to include trains calling at Chesterfield in the south of the city region, a parkway station as well as the line into the centre of Sheffield. Connectivity with the rest of the UK is a major factor in achieving our growth plans. Of equal importance is the inter-connectivity within the North, via HS3, and we look forward to working with the government and other partners to bring that into fruition as quickly as possible. So I welcome David Higgins’ report and look forward to the Secretary of State’s decision in due course.”
The recommendations for South Yorkshire have been welcomed by high speed rail campaigners Greengauge 21, which said HS2 Ltd should be 'congratulated'.
Greengauge 21 director Jim Steer said: "The preferred approach put forward by HS2 brings major cost savings as well as bringing HS2 to the heart of the city of Sheffield. It means that across the North, all the cities served by HS2 will have central locations rather than parkways. It also means that the North East will get slightly faster HS2 services -- and can be directly connected to Sheffield too."
The report is now being considered by the secretary of state for transport, who is expected to make a decision later this year.