High Speed Two public consultation opens on latest proposals

Credit: HS2 Ltd

A new public consultation has opened inviting people’s views on the latest proposals for High Speed Two (HS2).

Communities are encouraged to have their say on a series of proposed design refinements, which show how the route from Crewe to Manchester (known as the Phase 2b Western leg) is progressing to fully integrate with plans for Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR) and the wider transport network.

The consultation focuses on four proposed modifications to the current design of the Phase 2b Western leg and outlines technical changes and expansion plans to both Manchester Airport and Manchester Piccadilly High Speed Stations. The changes fully support the vision for HS2 and NPR becoming the new backbone of Britain’s national rail network.

Collectively, HS2 and NPR will increase capacity on the rail network and improve connections between the UK’s biggest cities and regions, while generating thousands of jobs and boosting economic growth across the Midlands and the North.

Credit: HS2 Ltd. hase 2b map showing the eastern and western legs of Phase 2b separately.

Communities in Cheshire and Greater Manchester are asked to give their views on a series of design refinements for Manchester Airport High Speed Station, including:

• Increasing the number of platforms (from two to four) to accommodate service growth and plans for Northern Powerhouse Rail
• An update to the station’s design to accommodate a future Metrolink stop
• Increasing the number of car parking spaces and adding further car parking on the western side of the station
• Changes to the surrounding road network to provide a second access to the station.

Further design changes proposed for Manchester Piccadilly Station include:

• Providing two additional platforms (from four to six) to allow future use of HS2 infrastructure as part of NPR
• Relocating the Piccadilly Metrolink station beneath the HS2/NPR station and making provision for a second Metrolink stop in the event of future expansion of Metrolink to the east of the city
• Making passive provision for the junction required for a future connection to Leeds as part of Northern Powerhouse Rail
• Changing the horizontal alignment of the approach to the station to reduce impacts on the existing Ardwick train care facility
• Improving the road network around the station to avoid disruption to road users and re-provide highways around HS2 works.

The proposals demonstrate cost efficiencies by integrating the infrastructure required to deliver NPR into the design of HS2’s Western Leg hybrid Bill. This approach aligns to the Government’s vision to significantly improve capacity, connectivity and reliability of the rail network across the North as quickly as possible.

“Engaging with communities is at the heart of our plans for HS2 and Northern Powerhouse Rail and we’re eager to hear from residents and businesses across Greater Manchester about these proposed design changes to two local stations,” commented HS2 Minister, Andrew Stephenson MP.

“Not only will these responses greatly inform the Integrated Rail Plan as it assesses the transport needs across the north, but will also provide vital feedback on the design changes for the Western Leg of HS2 Phase 2b,” he added.

The public consultation, which closes on 11 December 2020, is supported by a series of live webinar events, which allow communities to find out more about the proposals and ask questions. The webinars are supported by HS2’s freephone Helpdesk, which is available 24/7. Public facing events are not being held in accordance with COVID-19 restrictions to ensure the safety and wellbeing of local communities.

“Local communities have an important role to play in informing the final design of the railway and I encourage them to take the time to respond to these proposals,” added Leonie Dubois, HS2’s Head of Consultation and Engagement.

Consultation documents, which provide a detailed account of the proposed changes, are available online. An update to Safeguarding directions for the Phase 2b Western leg and a report outlining the outcomes of last year’s Design Refinement Consultation are also available.

Responding to news of the public consultation, Maria Machancoses, director of Midlands Connect commented: “It’s good to see continued progress being made on HS2’s Western Leg, in particular, plans for enhanced Northern connections for Crewe and additional platforms at Manchester Piccadilly station that could improve connections from the West Midlands to Manchester, Liverpool and Scotland.”

“However, it’s equally important that we progress plans for the Eastern leg of Phase 2b, and Midlands Connect will continue to work with Government ahead of the final publication of its Integrated Rail Plan at the end of the year. It’s essential that once this happens, similarly ambitious steps are taken to move the design and progress of the Eastern Leg forward, so that the communities of the East Midlands are not left behind,” she added.