UK: Concerns over the future of both the eastern leg of HS2 Phase 2b and the proposed Northern Powerhouse Rail programme were the focus of debate at the annual Transport for the North conference held in Leeds on September 21.
High Speed 2
Lorna Pimlott, HS2 Ltd’s Director of Sponsorship & Policy, Phase 2, confirmed that while royal assent for Phase 2a to Crewe means that contracts are now being awarded, the instruction from DfT is to only progress the western leg of Phase 2b to Manchester, with the bill to be presented in Q1 2022 if not before, ‘while the eastern leg is on pause’.
Pimlott said the uncertainty about future plans was hindering regeneration and investment. While Birmingham is now benefiting from the certainty of improved connectivity, ‘we can’t secure that on the eastern leg or even fully on the western leg’.
This was echoed by newly-elected Mayor of West Yorkshire, Tracy Brabin. ‘We are going through endless rounds of beauty contests to compete for small pots of time-limited cash’, she said. ‘That’s why it’s been so frustrating to hear the briefing and counter-briefing’ around the HS2 Phase 2b eastern leg. ’This uncertainty destroys business confidence and holds us back.’
‘Let’s be clear; HS2 is not just about faster journeys to London, it is about quicker and more frequent services to Sheffield, the east Midlands and Birmingham too. A way to provide a green, sustainable alternative to our motorways’, she insisted.
Northern Powerhouse Rail
Northern Powerhouse Rail Director Tim Wood reminded the audience that NPR encompasses enhancements to existing lines as well as a planned new line linking Liverpool and Leeds via Manchester and Bradford. This would connect with a modernised line to Hull.
He said a significant challenge had been set by DfT to develop a positive business case, and noted the need for both legs of HS2 and NPR to be developed in tandem because a significant amount of shared infrastructure is envisaged.
‘We’re still in the back lane; 18 months ago Doug Oakervee said “Let’s accelerate HS2 and NPR” and we’re still waiting for the Integrated Rail Plan from the government’, Wood said. ‘We need to be really clear here; we’re not going to “level up” until the flagship programme for the north — Northern Powerhouse Rail — gets the go ahead in full, as well as both the eastern and western legs of HS2 [Phase 2b] because 80 km of route is shared between the new NPR line and both HS2 legs.’
Wood explained that over the last year the economic benefits that would be delivered by NPR are estimated to have increased by 30%, and increased confidence that NPR can be delivered at 2015 prices has had an impact on the business case.
‘It was always the case that we needed to get the NPV to a ratio of one or over, and we have delivered on that’, he said.
Challenging the misconception that the cost would fall in one substantial payment, Wood said ‘at a peak we’ll be going through around £2·5bn to £3bn a year. The opportunities are ripe, we want to get on with the investment and now we’re looking to the government to be really bold in their decision making. If you want to level up you have to open up the transport links.’
