-
plans for HS2 Phase 2a will be modified to
support Crewe Hub
-
these changes allow an HS2 service to
Stoke-on-Trent
-
more people to have access to high speed, long-distance
train services from Crewe
A high-speed rail service to Stoke-on-Trent, platform extensions
and a re-designed junction at Crewe to give more people access
to HS2 are amongst
plans being backed by government, Transport Secretary has confirmed today (9 March
2018).
The government’s support for the Crewe Hub vision means plans
for HS2Phase 2a from the
West Midlands to Crewe will be modified to include:
- extension of Platform 5 at Crewe to 400 metres, to allow for
the splitting and joining of HS2 services, which also opens
opportunities to serve Stoke-on-Trent with HS2
- a more efficient design for the proposed platform on the
Manchester independent lines, incorporating a transfer deck to
the main station
- a change to the design of the southern connection
from HS2, so
that HS2joins, and takes
over, the central 2 lines on the existing network
The Secretary of State also intends to ask the franchise
operator, West Coast Partnership, to include a high speed service
to Stoke-on-Trent in its market development and service plans.
Secretary of State said:
We have listened to people’s views on the Crewe Hub
consultation, ensuring that the town’s proud history as an
epicentre of rail journeys is set to continue, as it plays a
vital role in delivering Britain’s future railway.
HS2 will be the backbone
of our national rail network, increasing capacity on our
congested rail network with thousands more seats on commuter
services, improving vital connections between some of our
country’s biggest cities and generating jobs, skills and
economic growth.
It also builds on our earlier decision to bring the benefits
of HS2 to Crewe
from 2027 - 6 years earlier than originally planned - as well
as allowing the benefits of a high-speed service to extend to
Stoke-on-Trent.
Extending HS2 to
Crewe is a vital step in achieving the government’s ambition to
build a country that works for everyone. By committing to the
Crewe consultation, significant benefits brought to Crewe and
Stoke-on-Trent by HS2 are unlocked, allowing more people
to access high speed, long distance services.
Combined with a HS2 junction north of Crewe (which
will be considered as part of Phase 2b), this could allow 5 to
7 HS2 trains per hour
to call at Crewe and improve connectivity on the lines from Crewe
to Shrewsbury, Chester and Stoke-on-Trent (subject in some cases
to further investment beyond Crewe itself).
The full response to the Crewe
Hub consultation is on GOV.UK.
