Higgins reiterates backing for original HS2 ‘Y’ route

HS2 Ltd Chairman Sir David Higgins has confirmed that he believes the strategic proposal for HS2 was right - with an Eastern and Western arm of the ‘Y’ route both necessary.

In his summary of his Rebalancing Britain: From HS2 Towards a National Transport Strategy report, he said: “Building both legs is the only way to deliver the strategic reductions in journey times and extra capacity that are needed, and to do so on an equitable basis.”

On the eastern arm of the ‘Y’, Higgins detailed some minor modifications to the original plan, although he added: “The proposed hubs in the East Midlands and in South Yorkshire are, on balance, the best solutions to deliver the benefits of HS2 to their regions as a whole, and to achieve the best fit with the existing network.”

However, the station at Leeds would need to be remodelled by the time Phase 2 is complete, with “a clear need for a fundamental review of the best solution for the city considering growth in existing rail services, and the introduction of HS2 and potential new East-West services”.

• For more information, read RAIL 762, published November 12