High Speed Rail (HS2) - For Newcastle and the North East

[Newcastle Historian]

Hopes raised that new high-speed rail link will benefit North East economy
by William Green, The Journal, January 11th 2012


HOPES were yesterday raised that the North East can reap huge benefits from a new high-speed rail link.

Transport Secretary Justine Greening gave the go-ahead for the HS2 high-speed rail scheme, saying the £32.7bn project would benefit the whole country – although critics branded it a “white elephant”.

Speaking to The Journal, Ms Greening said Newcastle would benefit with the second phase linking into the East Coast Main Line – the main rail route between the North East, London and Scotland.

Those time savings will translate into improvements for people in Newcastle, she said, with more than 40 minutes shaved off Newcastle-London travel times. That compares to a cut in a Birmingham-Leeds journey from two hours to 57 minutes and a Manchester-London trip from two hours eight minutes to only one hour eight minutes.

While the Government was focused on getting on with HS2 phases one and two, the Transport Secretary said: “Most countries who start a high-speed rail network see the benefits of it and want to see it continue to develop.”

There will not be any direct trains to the North East, using the HS2 route, until the second phase is completed.


Read More - http://www.journallive.co.uk/north-e...#ixzz1j8gpqmzk

[bigchrisfgb]

I guess we can kiss goodbye to ever having a dedicated HSR to the region then. It will take until 2033 at least for a HSR connecting to normal lines to reach the region.

[cranfan]

Originally Posted by Newcastle Historian

Those time savings will translate into improvements for people in Newcastle, she said, with more than 40 minutes shaved off Newcastle-London travel times.

So, about 2hrs 15 to London? No chance. I bet she's comparing against the stoppers.

[BerlinGeordie]

Meanwhile, there'll be less money available for things like reopening the Leamside line, expanding the Metro, dualling the A1 north, extending the M1 to Tyneside, etc. But if you want to go to London, and don't mind changing trains in Birmingham, and the trains run on time, and they schedule the train from Newcastle to arrive at New Street shortly before the HS2 to London leaves, you'll save 40 minutes compared to going there directly. Great.

[Newcastle Historian]

Tory peer Lord Astor's rail remarks 'offensive and pitiful'
by Stephen Cape, The Journal, January 13th 2012


NORTH East Labour MPs have lambasted a Tory Peer who claimed that they “relish” the idea of digging up the Chilterns to make way for a new rail link. Lord Astor, the Prime Minister’s step-father-in-law made his extraordinary attack on the premier’s decision to approve the High Speed 2 line from London to Birmingham.

Writing in the latest edition of The Spectator magazine he argued that there was a viable alternative and made an unprovoked attack on politicians in the region who backed the plan. He said: “It is supported by Northern Labour MPs who relish the thought of the beauty of the Chilterns being destroyed, particularly in Conservative-held seats.”

North MPs called his remarks “crass, offensive and pitiful” claiming the “Tories are out of touch”. But Viscount Astor, who is married to Samantha Cameron’s mother, claims the Prime Minister is ignoring “core values” of choice, and “ruining the lives of thousands of people” along the route of the high speed line.

Labour MP for Wansbeck Ian Lavery said: “I haven’t heard such absolute rubbish. It’s pathetic, I want the line to come to the North East of course, but because we need a better train service in the region.”

Conservative MP for Hexham Guy Opperman did not think Lord Astor’s comments added to the debate and he said: “This Government’s decision to push forward with HSR2 is a £33bn demonstration of its commitment to rebalancing the UK’s economy towards the North. If that upsets some people in the South, then so be it."

Lord Astor was not available for comment last night.


Read More - http://www.journallive.co.uk/north-e...#ixzz1jKTDpIc4

[Tyr]

I really don't get the chilterns fuss. The chilterns are a huge area, miles and miles of countryside.
A railway would take up...what...20 metres across at a completely inflated and over the top most?

Meanwhile, there'll be less money available for things like reopening the Leamside line, expanding the Metro, dualling the A1 north, extending the M1 to Tyneside, etc. But if you want to go to London, and don't mind changing trains in Birmingham, and the trains run on time, and they schedule the train from Newcastle to arrive at New Street shortly before the HS2 to London leaves, you'll save 40 minutes compared to going there directly. Great.

Why would you have to change in Birmingham?
I'd imagine they'd have the trains run on from there to other major cities. Britain has an advantage with HSR in it being the same guage as our regular rail.

We don't really need Leamside reopened and the tories are never going to expand the metro or dual the A1,

[WilfBurnsFan]

Originally Posted by Tyr

Britain has an advantage with HSR in it being the same guage as our regular rail.

Surely that's the case in most of Europe, barring Russia and Ireland. Or did you mean loading gauge?

[Chatton11]

Originally Posted by Tyr

I really don't get the chilterns fuss. The chilterns are a huge area, miles and miles of countryside.
A railway would take up...what...20 metres across at a completely inflated and over the top most?


Why would you have to change in Birmingham?
I'd imagine they'd have the trains run on from there to other major cities.

Really? I would be surprised if they paid millions for fancy new high speed trains and then had them running for hundreds of miles on normal track and much lower than its intended speed. And wouldn't that then mean a reduction in regular rail services along the rail lines to Newcastle?

[toonlad]

I wouldn't. They paid a fortune for the Eurostar rolling stock that trundled along the old network for years until HS1. Then they tried to commission Hitachi to build those expensive Diesel/Elec hybrid trains rather than pay to electrify (and therefore futureproof) the network and buy cheaper 'off the shelf' trains.

If there is a proper way of doing things or an unusual/expensive/capacity wasting way of doing things, the Dft prefer the latter.

[anonymous1]

I think some of them are meant to continue on traditional lines. Javelins do the same in Kent, they're only on HS1 to Ashford then carry on to Dover and other destinations on normal tracks.

[WilfBurnsFan]

Originally Posted by Chatton11

And wouldn't that then mean a reduction in regular rail services along the rail lines to Newcastle?

Which would be quite good news. More slots for independent operators a la Hull Trains, Grand Central etc.

[Delaval]

They'll be two types of train running on HS2. "Captive" trains which will run solely on HS2 and "Compatible" trains which will continue off HS2 to serve stations along the West Coast Main line, and also on HS2 to Leeds before continuing on the ECML to serve York and Newcastle.

[BerlinGeordie]

Don't forget that HS2 will be going to a new station in Birmingham that won't be near to New Street, so that changing trains will be quite a pain. There won't be a big run-on network effect.

Speaking for myself, if I ever have to go between London and Birmingham, I go with Chiltern Railways (= DB Regio), which takes 2 hours but has cheap tickets at the station, and is one of the country's best-rated railways for exactly that reason. And despite the middle-of-nowhere, rundown character of the old Digbeth Coach Station, Brum is pretty well served with coaches as well. So unless there are going to be bargains on HS2, I suspect it'll be mostly business travel that benefits.

[cranfan]

It's only about half a mile away. Ten minute walk. And it's right on the doorstep of Moor Street.

[Tyr]

I read somewhere that there are talks about changing the rail allignment around Newcastle to allow for the faster running of trains.
Has anyone seen anything about this?

Surely that's the case in most of Europe, barring Russia and Ireland. Or did you mean loading gauge?

Yeah, in most places its the same, not in Japan with the shink though

Don't forget that HS2 will be going to a new station in Birmingham that won't be near to New Street, so that changing trains will be quite a pain. There won't be a big run-on network effect.

Speaking for myself, if I ever have to go between London and Birmingham, I go with Chiltern Railways (= DB Regio), which takes 2 hours but has cheap tickets at the station, and is one of the country's best-rated railways for exactly that reason. And despite the middle-of-nowhere, rundown character of the old Digbeth Coach Station, Brum is pretty well served with coaches as well. So unless there are going to be bargains on HS2, I suspect it'll be mostly business travel that benefits.

Theres a lot said against HS for only helping rich folks and all that but...even assuming that is true...even if just wealthier people use HS then they're taken off the regular speed services which frees up a lot of capacity and makes things better for normal people.

[Newcastle Historian]

High speed rail hopes hit the buffers in Tory districts
by Adrian Pearson, The Journal, April 13th 2012



HOPES of ever bringing high speed trains to the North of England face overwhelming opposition from Southern Conservative constituencies, new research has revealed. The Department for Transport has released responses to its consultation on £33bn plans for high speed rail, and the replies show a clear North-South divide for and against.

There were 613 responses from people and organisations to the consultation in the North East, with the majority of them in favour. Across the NE postcode areas 86% backed the plans, but the potential economic benefits of the line have been downgraded from generating £2.40 for every pound spent to just £1.20, vastly strengthening the arguments of those who believe the funding could be better spent.

The coalition Government plans to build a line to the North over the next two decades, with the first leg going from London to Birmingham. The track then heads to both Manchester and Leeds in a Y-shape. Trains heading further north to Newcastle and Scotland will have to travel on existing lines at slower speeds, though ministers insist the investment will still free up capacity and shave up to 58 minutes off journey times.

Much of the current known route of the line passes through well-off Tory suburbs and countryside estates, with those areas being home to the largest number of objections.


Read More - http://www.journallive.co.uk/north-e...#ixzz1ru6UBK3Q

[Newcastle Historian]

North East must get ready to fight for high speed link
by William Green, The Journal, October 2nd 2012


Hitachi Class 395 Javelin train

A BUSINESS leader has warned the North East could lose out on high speed rail in the face of Heathrow Airport-style opposition. Northumbrian Water chief executive Heidi Mottram has called for a united front amid fears the region is not prepared enough to successfully lobby for substantial infrastructure spending.

Speaking before MPs, council leaders and party members at Labours Manchester conference Ms Mottram, who ran Northern Rail before joining Northumbrian Water, said the opposition of those seeking to prevent a third runway being built at Heathrow should be seen as a prelude to the planning battle for a high-speed rail line. The Government intends to build a 250mph £32bn line from London to Leeds and Manchester, with trains then travelling on conventional lines to Newcastle and Scotland. The first leg of the journey from the capital to Birmingham is already prompting opposition from the mainly Conservative rural counties.

Ms Mottram, recently appointed a member of a Nick Clegg-backed North East Commission, told delegates it was far from certain that the route would make it to the North of England.


Read More - http://www.journallive.co.uk/north-e...#ixzz28V5wzeTv

[WilfBurnsFan]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england...shire-21228794

HS2 to cut York-London times to 83 minutes

[bob-in-toon]

The problem is I'll probably be collecting my pension by the time it's built

[wj_gibson]

Originally Posted by bob-in-toon

The problem is I'll probably be collecting my pension by the time it's built

Why on earth is it going to take 20 years to build something that is proven technology and that is used in various other locations extensively? I don't get that. The country should be aiming to get it operational in about 7, surely?