Yes here I am once again commenting on things that I probably don’t understand but I’ve been musing about this whole HS2 business for a while. So let me get my thoughts down in which hopefully will be coherent enough for you to follow! As with anything I’ve commented on before, I will caveat this post by saying I am not an expert in infrastructure nor Government policies – this is purely my opinion on the matter. Equally I am happy to accept that I may be wrong in my opinion and happy to discuss and be educated on the matter. So let’s dive in…
Article Menu
- What is HS2?
- Impact of HS2
- Latest About HS2 (updated June 2024)
- My Opinion
- Thanks and Further Reading
What is/was HS2?
Well my understanding is that HS2 project is/was a massive infrastructure project. The plan was to develop a new High Speed railway line to improve cross country links in the UK – Phase 1 was to improve the links from London to the Midlands with then Phase 2a and Phase 2b to improve links from the Midlands along to the North West and North East (Birmingham to Manchester and Birmingham to Leeds specifically).
Impact of HS2
There are many different ways that HS2 is/was impacting the country. As a brief overview the main ones I wish to discuss is the infrastructure impact, environmental impact and the socio-economic impact
1) Infrastructure Impact
The business case for this new railway line is that it was intended to increase capacity of freight on the railway network as well as increasing passenger journey times. The current railway network cannot cope with even more trains which means freight that comes into the UK ports has to travel along the motor highway network instead. With increased capacity on the railway network via the HS2 project, more freight trains could run which means less lorries on the road thus easing some traffic pressures on the highways.
(It was never about speed and travel time even though that seems to be what the public opinion is)
2) Environmental Impact
Removing lorries from the highways network will serve to lessen the environmental impact of freight transport. Good thing that! However, one cannot fail to see the disruption caused by building the HS2 line is massive. It’s inevitable as with any major infrastructure project.
Take the recently built Caernarfon Bypass – the impact on landscape during construction was huge – fields destroyed, mud everywhere. But look at that landscape now? It’s all settled back down – mud covered fields are now looking fresh again with a grass crop growing. Yes, obviously there is permanent lost landscape but it’s worth it to ease the congestion that used to happen EVERYDAY in Bontnewydd…
Same principles apply to HS2 – yes massive impact during construction but it’ll settle down and grow back.
(Caveat here – I can’t comment on whether any significant habitats have been destroyed because of it but I would like to have faith in the planners that they’ve taken all of that into account. I mean they spent £70k on a special bridge for bats when the Porthmadog bypass was built)
3) Socio-Economic Impact
Even my simple mind can see that any town/city/region benefits with better transport links. Phase 2 (Northern Section) would undoubtedly improve the North/South link but also the local links as well. Freeing up capacity on the old lines (by moving Express and Freight to HS2) would mean more services could be run around the local regions.
This should create access to more jobs with people being able to move around much quicker. The ability to improve ones employment means more money in the economy and usually when there’s more money there’s improved standard of living. Socio-economics isn’t my field of expertise and there are others who can explain it far better than me -> this is an interesting read.
What’s the Latest with HS2?
At the time of writing (June 2024) it has been announced that Phase 2 has been cancelled.
Over the last year I’ve been down towards the Midlands (Coleshill to be precise) and what struck me is the sheer amount of work that’s going on in the area. I believe the area I saw was part of the triangle interchange where Phase 1 (Southern section) and Phase 2 (Northern section) meet. It strikes me as such an odd thing to cancel a major project. Not sure if other in the North feel this, but cancelling the Northern section feels like we’re being abandoned once again. “London’s bit has been done so they’re alright chaps.”
Apparently in cancelling the HS2 means that money will be redistributed to the “Network North” programme which will see electrification of some current lines (for example £1bn to electrify North Wales Coastline – I’m sceptical but I’ll reserve judgement until after the General Election where it’ll all change again), creation of new tramline in Leeds and extension to West Midlands Metro. It includes sending money towards road projects including upgrading the A5 and M6 (amongst others).
My simple mind is struggling with this a bit. Let’s take the M6 – the M6 is the main road artery from the Midlands to the North (I believe it terminates somewhere above Penrith so not far from Scotland). Guess what also travels that region – the West Coast Mainline (“WCML”) which is apparently one of the busiest mixed-traffic railway routes in Europe. It’s been reported that the WCML is at capacity and cannot take anymore freight nor passengers. If this was improved – partly by moving Express and Freight over to HS2 then the M6 motorway would undoubtedly see reduced traffic and thus reduce problems and maybe not needing money being diverted to it. (I’m speculating there as I don’t use the M6 often.)
My Opinion – Stupid, Short Sightedness and Failure to Futureproof
So, in my humble non-educated opinion, I believe that cancelling Phase 2 of HS2 is going to be one of the biggest mistakes made in UK’s infrastructure history. Yes, it would be disruptive and yes it would be expensive – but that was all temporary and necessary to not only improve but to futureproof rail infrastructure. The UK will continue to have a rubbish rail network. Take heed of Japan where they have what I believe to be the best public transport system in the world.
Thank Yous and Further Reading
My thoughts, comments and opinions have been formed after reading the general press, watching and listening to various podcasts. My specific thanks goes out to Green Signals Podcast which have covered the HS2 saga extensively. I noted below the specific episodes which feature discussions with experts who have been involved in the HS2 project.
- Episode 2 – HS2 Myths Debunked
- Episode 6 – HS2 Discussion with Prof Andrew McNaughton
In addition you could also take a look at the HS2 website for more information on the project.
