8 Connectivity with HS2
65. The benefits of the enormous investment in HS2
will only be realised fully if the benefits of HS2 are spread
as widely as possible, by building additional links between the
conventional and high speed network and if the capacity released
on the West Coast Main Line can be used to best effect. Witnesses
warned however that CP5 has not prioritised this connectivity.
The Association for Consultancy and Engineering warned of a "significant
lack of connectivity to the classic network" with HS2 Phase
1, a concern shared by the Institution of Engineering and Technology.[227]
The Freight Transport Association cautioned that clarity on the
use of the additional capacity released by HS2 was "absolutely
missing".[228]
Lindsay Durham, Head of Rail Strategy at Freightliner, expressed
concern that, as there was no transparent procedure for allocating
the released capacity on the West Coast Main Line, freight would
lose out to passenger rail. [229]
John Smith, Managing Director, GB Railfreight, cautioned that
when capacity had been increased on lines in the past, it had
been "consumed by increased passenger usage".[230]
Ms Durham said the economic benefits of extra capacity for freight
needed to be considered alongside increase passenger capacity.[231]
Even on investments which had been specifically funded through
the Strategic Freight Network, we heard that there was no way
of reserving the increased capacity for freight, in light of increased
demand for passenger services.[232]
66. Clare Moriarty, Director General, Rail Executive,
Department for Transport, told us that work with Network Rail
and the rail industry to maximise the connectivity between HS2
and the rest of the rail network was "one of the central
planks" in the early planning for Control Period 6.[233]
Ms Moriarty also sought to reassure us that the planning for HS2
will consider how released capacity on the classic network can
be used for freight.[234]
That this only emerged from our questioning demonstrates the need
for the Department for Transport to make its long-term plan and
thinking about the railway public, as we recommend in paragraph
19.
67. In June the Chancellor of the Exchequer, the
Rt Hon George Osborne, said that the "transport network in
the north" was "simply not fit for purpose", noting
that it was quicker to travel by train between London and Paris
than to travel less than half that distance between Liverpool
and Hull.[235] The
Chancellor added that the Government was undertaking "a series
of massive investments in the transport infrastructure in the
north", but that it was necessary to consider a "new
high speed rail link east-west from Manchester to Leeds".
The route would be based on the existing route, but would have
new tunnels and infrastructure to increase speed—the Chancellor
described it as "a third high speed railway for Britain".
This prospect has blurred the lines between the classic and high
speed rail network. While the Chancellor has spoken of HS3 the
DfT civil servants we heard from made clear that he was not referring
to a new line, but instead "the potential on an existing
alignment to find ways of speeding up services significantly so
that you get a high-speed service".[236]
Maggie Simpson warned that while needed, the freight opportunities
from greater trans-Pennine connectivity would come from a new
line, not simply an enhancement of the current line.[237]
The length of the new route—or improvements to the existing
lines—was not clear. The Chancellor's initial speech referenced
a new line between Manchester and Leeds.[238]
The Secretary of State, told us, however, that "Manchester and
Leeds are used as shorthand for the most important cities in the
north", adding Ministers meant to include Liverpool, Sheffield,
Newcastle and Hull, in addition to Leeds and Manchester.[239]
68. We welcome the proposals to improve East-West
connectivity. We call for clarity on whether these proposals will
be truly East-West: extending from Hull to Liverpool, with the
benefits that would bring for freight and passenger rail. It is
also not at all clear whether these proposals—HS3 as the
Chancellor has referred to them—will entail a new line or
improvements to existing lines. The Department should clarify
this point, and also make clear what long-term objectives it has
for improving East-West connectivity across the country.
69. The Government should set out the details
and timing of planned investment in the classic network in order
to maximise the benefits of HS2; improving rail access for all
passengers and increasing capacity for freight. The planning process
should consider HS2 and trans-Pennine improvements as part of
one overall rail network.
227 Association for Consultancy and Engineering (IRW0050),
The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IRW0031) para 31 Back
228
Freight Transport Association (IRW0041) Back
229
Q395 Back
230
Q396 Back
231
Q395 Back
232
Q409 [Lindsay Durham] Back
233
Q23 Back
234
Q54 Back
235
HM Treasury, "Chancellor: 'We need a Northern Powerhouse'",
23 June 2014, accessed 15 January 2015 Back
236
Q90 Back
237
Q429 Back
238
HM Treasury, "Chancellor: 'We need a Northern Powerhouse'",
23 June 2014, accessed 15 January 2015 Back
239
Q529 Back
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