“Trains will be overloaded by mid 2020s without HS2”
UK trains would be overrun by the middle of the 2020s if HS2 didn’t go ahead, according to the Area Petition Manager at HS2, Tom Hinds.
Speaking to the Park Royal Business Group last week, Mr Hinds provided an update on the status of the project and how it will affect the Park Royal and Old Oak Common areas.
It was revealed that 1.5 billion journeys were made by passengers in 2011/2012, double the total of 1994/1995. Mr Hinds explained that without HS2, the number of passengers will continue to rise and capacity won’t be able to meet demand. The presentation explained that HS2 will provide up to 18 trains an hour, each carrying up to 1,100 passengers between some of the UK’s major cities. It is hoped this will provide world class transport links and free up capacity on existing train networks.
Although there has been criticism of the project, Mr Hinds stated that HS2 was imperative for UK transport, will create up to 400,000 jobs and lay the foundation for future growth and prosperity.
Park Royal and Old Oak Common were the main areas of focus at last week’s conference, with Mr Hinds explaining that HS2 will be the catalyst for regeneration at Old Oak Common; with the proposed station becoming a major transport hub with links to HS2, Crossrail, GWML and Heathrow Express.
The benefits for Park Royal and Old Oak Common should also see the creation of nearly 100,000 jobs and around 20,000 new homes, with Queens Park Rangers FC also considering relocating to the area.
Phase one of the project, which will link London to the West Midlands, is estimated to commence construction in 2017, with 2026 mooted as a possible completion date. Phase two, which will link the scheme to Manchester, Leeds, Sheffield and the East Midlands, is predicted to be ready by 2035.
The completion of HS2 is still over a decade away, but if those who are champion the scheme are to be believed, then it could prove to be vital for the future of the UK.
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[…] calls that previous plans for the second phase of HS2 missed key east-west connections, it is believed that the revised proposal for HS3 could cut […]