Reducing speed from 360km/h could bring the railway into service sooner and save taxpayers’ money, Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander has said
HS2 may run between London and Birmingham at a reduced speed than initially proposed in an effort to control the costs of the significant rail project. The idea of lowering the speed of the flagship high-speed rail scheme from its planned 360km per hour could save a sum in the “low billions” and expedite the launch of services, according to Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander.
In a written statement to MPs, she noted that the proposed 360km per hour speed surpasses any high-speed train currently in operation worldwide. This would necessitate safety tests to be postponed until the new railway line between London and Birmingham is completed, or require trains to be tested overseas.
She characterised this as “an approach which could increase costs and delay the completion of the project”, and revealed that she had tasked Mark Wild, HS2’s chief executive, to report back to her before the summer regarding the feasibility of operating trains at slower speeds.
“Mark Wild’s initial and provisional estimate is that a specification at reduced speeds could save in the low billions and bring the railway into service sooner, by reducing risk in the delivery of the programme and its testing,” the Transport Secretary informed MPs.
High-speed trains are defined as those travelling at least 250km per hour, typically on a dedicated railway track. Both China and Spain operate such trains at speeds of 350km per hour.
The existing maximum speed on Britain’s traditional rail network is 200km per hour, whilst Channel Tunnel services – also referred to as HS1 – operate at 300km per hour.
Ms Alexander stated: “This Government is determined to deliver HS2 as effectively and efficiently as possible. In doing so, I will look at every opportunity to claw back construction time, save taxpayers’ money and ensure the project delivers for the country.
“I share the public’s anger about the waste and mess of the past, which is why this Government is pulling HS2 out of its sclerosis and setting it on a more sensible course. We’re getting a grip, controlling costs, and getting on with delivering the transport infrastructure this country needs.”
Meanwhile, Mr Wild maintained that speed had “never been the primary objective” of HS2. The HS2 chief said: “I made a commitment to the Transport Secretary that I would regain control of HS2 and bring an end to the project’s cost increases and delays.
“With performance moving in the right direction, driven by the hard work of 30,000 people on the ground, we are rightly exploring options to create further efficiencies.
“Speed has never been the primary objective. This railway will deliver better journeys, more capacity on the network, and economic growth – all of which are vital to the country’s future prosperity.”
When first proposed, HS2’s main objective was to boost rail capacity linking London, Birmingham and major northern cities, by transferring rapid intercity services from the current conventional railways onto the new route.
However, the initial proposal to extend services northwards to Manchester and Leeds was scaled back by the Conservative government owing to escalating expenses.
The remaining route will connect London’s Euston station, a new station in west London at Old Oak Common, and Birmingham Curzon Street.
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