High Speed 2 continues to stir up debate...
Why it is being prioritised over other corridors such as those in the north or south west? Does it follow the best route? Is it necessary at all?
This little thread should help explain things.
Why it is being prioritised over other corridors such as those in the north or south west? Does it follow the best route? Is it necessary at all?
This little thread should help explain things.
Firstly, Britain's railways are getting busier... Our network is the most densely trafficked in Europe, even before you consider freight.
On key routes, existing lines are already reaching capacity.
On key routes, existing lines are already reaching capacity.
Before discussing how to alleviate pressure on the network, let's consider the major areas of population and economic output.
These "hubs" are the clusters of cities that are, for example, connected by less than an hour's travel.
These "hubs" are the clusters of cities that are, for example, connected by less than an hour's travel.
When thinking of our rail network as a whole, we can consider connectivity on two levels: intra-hub (travel within hubs) and inter-hub (travel between hubs).
Combining these two levels of connectivity gives us a map that starts looking a bit like our current railway network...
It's easy to see that there is a conflict between the intra-hub and inter-hub services through the Midlands and the North.
At the same time, this corridor (in red) gets busier as you get closer to London, with the southern-most section carrying all north-south inter-hub traffic.
At the same time, this corridor (in red) gets busier as you get closer to London, with the southern-most section carrying all north-south inter-hub traffic.
The inter-hub routes from London to the south coast and from London to Bristol and South Wales don't carry traffic from other hubs. They also don't have to carry intra-hub and inter-hub traffic at the same time.
These corridors are therefore less critical to overall capacity.
These corridors are therefore less critical to overall capacity.
The route proposed by @HS2ltd aims to solve both the intra-hub and inter-hub capacity constraints between the North, the Midlands and London by providing a new line carrying high speed passenger trains on the north-south rail corridor.
HS2 Phase 1 covers the southernmost corridor that carries all inter-hub traffic from north of London. This section will have the greatest capacity.
HS2 Phase 2 provides two "legs" to separate intra-hub/inter-hub services across the North and inter-hub traffic from Scotland.
HS2 Phase 2 provides two "legs" to separate intra-hub/inter-hub services across the North and inter-hub traffic from Scotland.
Long distance, high speed services (LDHSS) have the greatest impact on capacity because they require the greatest "headway".
By segregating LDHSS onto their own lines, capacity is created for more intra-hub services (as well as freight and local trains).
By segregating LDHSS onto their own lines, capacity is created for more intra-hub services (as well as freight and local trains).
But why must it be high speed?
This is to ensure that journey times on HS2 are competitive with current inter-hub services on the WCML, MML and ECML. This then allows more frequent stops and services on the existing lines, not to mention more space for freight.
This is to ensure that journey times on HS2 are competitive with current inter-hub services on the WCML, MML and ECML. This then allows more frequent stops and services on the existing lines, not to mention more space for freight.
HS2 will act as the backbone of Britain's rail network.
In combination with upgrades to intra-hub connectivity, it can unlock capacity on lines across the country.
In combination with upgrades to intra-hub connectivity, it can unlock capacity on lines across the country.
By enabling this step-change in capacity across the inter-hub routes, a high speed rail network allows the railway to absorb future modal shift - that means less passengers and freight on the roads.
More capacity also permits future reductions in rail fares...
More capacity also permits future reductions in rail fares...
Hopefully this thread has answered some of your questions about HS2 and high speed rail more generally.
Let us know what you think!
Let us know what you think!
