Since the cancellation of HS2 phase 2, there's been a lot of uncertainty around the future of high speed rail travel in the UK, with concerns raised over capacity constraints and the lack of a long-term plan to increase intercity rail connectivity.
Now though, new hope has emerged in the form of a plan presented by the metro mayors representing Birmingham and Manchester, for a new high speed line between their cities, which they claim can achieve 85% of the benefits of the previous HS2 scheme at just 60 - 75% of the cost.
What does the plan contain, and is it really a viable alternative? Join me in this deep-dive episode into the Midlands-North West Rail link.
SOURCES/CREDITS:
https://www.hs2.org.uk/podcast/episode-one-the-what-and-the-why-of-hs2/
https://x.com/Andrew_Adonis/status/1716938750692073761
https://youtu.be/LRRtJ3cZi8o?si=hXZtoUU4uWzXf6yZ
https://mediacentre.hs2.org.uk/blogs/heat-blog-2
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/high-speed-north-an-integrated-rail-plan-for-the-north-and-midlands-terms-of-reference/terms-of-reference-for-an-integrated-rail-plan-for-the-north-and-midlands
https://youtu.be/BkZKVl8iCqc?si=rjHpD8UqYX2LFksO
https://x.com/AndyBurnhamGM/status/1834864941162958920
http://www.douglas-self.com/MUSEUM/LOCOLOCO/loadgauge/loadgauge.htm
https://www.railengineer.co.uk/the-future-role-of-rail-a-strategic-freight-network/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/mtaphotos/8142739310
Read the report here: https://www.midlandsnorthwestraillink.co.uk/
All other footage provided is own work or by HS2 Ltd: https://mediacentre.hs2.org.uk/resources
TIMESTAMPS:
0:00 - Intro
0:26 - What is HS2/NPR?
3:42 - What went wrong?
5:38 - What have the mayors proposed?
9:50 - Analysis
13:50 - Outro