Irwin Mitchell Says Project Must Not Divert Cash From Local Infrastructure Schemes

The preferred route for the second phase of the high-speed rail line, HS2, has been confirmed by the government today.

The announcement, which confirms that the government intends to push ahead with the northern phase of the controversial £56bn infrastructure project, included seven alterations to the original route.

These changes include moving a new depot to Crewe, altering the site of a tunnel in south Manchester and no longer tunnelling under East Midlands airport. In addition to a new HS2 station being built next to Manchester Piccadilly, it was also confirmed that there would be a new station at Manchester airport.

Although the announcement removes much of the uncertainty over the project, the plan does not include a final decision over where to site a new station in or near Sheffield. The government's preferred option is for the main HS2 route to run east of Sheffield but for a spur to take passengers to the city centre.

Work on phase 1 is expected to start next year and be completed by 2026. Services operating on phase 2 are expected to commence in 2033.

The government claims it will provide up to three times as many intercity train seats and free up more space on existing lines for commuter services.

Transport secretary, Chris Grayling said: “Our railways owe much to the Victorian engineers who pioneered them, but we cannot rest on their legacy when we face overcrowding and capacity problems.

“HS2 is an ambitious and exciting project and the government is seizing the opportunity it offers to build a transport network fit for the 21st century; one that works for all and makes clear to the world that Britain remains open for business.”

Irwin Mitchell’s UK Powerhouse campaign found that following a survey of 2,000 businesses, only 5% thought that increased investment in national rail infrastructure projects such as HS2 would drive economic growth for the region where their business was based. Increased investment in the region’s roads scored 16%.

Backing up this finding, the report found that less than 1% of people who commute into Manchester come from Liverpool. It revealed that trains travel at less than half the speed between Manchester and Leeds than they do between London and Milton Keynes.

Roy Beckett, Regional Managing Partner at the Manchester office of Irwin Mitchell, said:

Expert Opinion

“This announcement essentially confirms that HS2 will extend into the North West and Yorkshire.

“The majority of businesses here in the North are more interested in improving transport links within cities as well as making it easier and quicker to get to other major conurbations in the region. The economic argument for this is strong as it improves productivity and significantly helps boost a company’s talent pool. We welcome greater investment in the Northern Powerhouse but call on the government to ensure that this massive infrastructure project doesn’t divert money away from accelerating the construction of much needed local transport links.”
Roy Beckett - Partner