There are two groups in the HS2 discussion, or at least when talking about it being built. We'll ignore those who want to scrap the whole thing for the purpose of this discussion. Anyway, there are those that want the whole thing built, and those who say the whole thing is too expensive. Looking at the proposals by those wishing to cost cut, you'd think it would be impossible to please both sides. Well, I may have stumbled upon such a solution...
Looking at a map, Stoke-on-Trent is not far from Crewe, where Phase 2a is headed. However, it's alignment with Sheffield is much better. This makes a prime spot to serve both Manchester and Sheffield. You can also create a spur to Crewe that while it isn't the best alignment, would still allow access to areas such as Liverpool and further north to Scotland. But why the need to have all services run oh this line? Becuase it reduces cost.
Phase 2a is already being built and costed for. While this realignment would add to the price, it would still be cheaper than say, Birmingham to Toton, which is part of the Eastern leg of Phase 2b. Of course you still need to get to Sheffield and beyond, but that would hopefully be similar to Toton to Sheffield, and beyond would be exactly the same. Now, while the price reduction wouldn't be as big as some other ideas, it is still a price reduction, and one that would deliver the exact same services as the original project, bar Toton and the surrounding area, although in the grand scheme of things it's a tiny sacrifice.
So, I'd like your thoughts and opinions. Is my rough maths right and this will save money? Does it deliver on the original promise or HS2 or not? Anything else I may have missed? Thank you advance for your comments.
Looking at a map, Stoke-on-Trent is not far from Crewe, where Phase 2a is headed. However, it's alignment with Sheffield is much better. This makes a prime spot to serve both Manchester and Sheffield. You can also create a spur to Crewe that while it isn't the best alignment, would still allow access to areas such as Liverpool and further north to Scotland. But why the need to have all services run oh this line? Becuase it reduces cost.
Phase 2a is already being built and costed for. While this realignment would add to the price, it would still be cheaper than say, Birmingham to Toton, which is part of the Eastern leg of Phase 2b. Of course you still need to get to Sheffield and beyond, but that would hopefully be similar to Toton to Sheffield, and beyond would be exactly the same. Now, while the price reduction wouldn't be as big as some other ideas, it is still a price reduction, and one that would deliver the exact same services as the original project, bar Toton and the surrounding area, although in the grand scheme of things it's a tiny sacrifice.
So, I'd like your thoughts and opinions. Is my rough maths right and this will save money? Does it deliver on the original promise or HS2 or not? Anything else I may have missed? Thank you advance for your comments.
