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IF Phase 2b is cancelled, is there an argument for ordering say, 10 or 11 car HS2 trains for the WCML services past Birmingham, instead of using 8 car units. Currently 8 car 200m trains are proposed, which is 25m per car, and this seats 528 people. An 11 car unit would be 275m (slightly longer...

To be honest, yes the planning system in this country needs massive reform. Too many people can have a say and block essential infrastructure (and homes, power plants, electric lines, roads etc). China uses the U.K. infrastructure planning as an example of why democracy doesn’t work. The...

The issue is the planning system and the Hybrid Bill system which enables all kinds of baubles and adds on to be added to the design. Had HS2 been plain line route without a lot of the current mitigations, it would have be far cheaper. I don’t think it’s fair to attack the HS2 Ltd staff, who...

This is not on HS2 Ltd. This is on the utterly incompetent and short termist government in Westminster; who are axing HS2 phase 2 to save £8bn, only to give away £7bn on inheritance tax cuts.

It depends on the politicians to be honest. Should the current plans go ahead without further interruption, then Phase 1 OOC-Curzon Street is 2029-33, Handsacre link for WCML services is also 2029-33 but 18-24 months later than the first services, services to Crewe are 2034/35 and Manchester...

Nope, same thing, just lack of coffee and my inability to proof read lol.

It depends if you believe that the IRP will ever be implemented. The IRP specifies signalling upgrades on the ECML to allow for 140mph operation, and lengthening of the Azumas - this is the “compensation” for the cancelling of the eastern leg of HS2. Whether it’ll happen of course, is another issue.

NPR as detailed in the IPR requires a new line from Warrington to Manchester - which HS2 delivers/delivered. It also requires a new line from Manchester to Marsden. Otherwise it’s literally the same as the TRU.

The absolute worst case scenario is Old Oak Common to WCML via Handsacre operation. 3x400m trains OOC, Interchange and Curzon Street, 3 x 200m trains OOC to Manchester, 2 x 200m Trains to Liverpool and Crewe. As mentioned up thread, OOC can if required handle around 18tph. The previously mooted...

Yes and No - phase 2b on its own primarily benefits Cheshire and Manchester BUT it also forms the initial section of HS3 / Northern Powerhouse Rail. NPR uses the Fiddlers Ferry freight line to Warrington (heavily upgraded) then a new line is built along the old alignment of the Altrincham to...

This is wrong. The government and backbench NIMBY MP’s inserted the gold plating via the parliamentary hybrid bill process. The high cost is due to an excessive amount of the line being built in bored tunnels and cut and cover green tunnels in order to appease NIMBY’s. Had the line been on...

I've been to the OOC site for a tour, and I can tell you it is physically impossible to join the two lines given the depth of the HS2 station box, and where the Elizabeth line. You'd be looking at a DLR style ski-ramp to get from the box up to street level. If you didn't have the box, and built...

What was also overlooked by the government and the media was the massive mental health impact of the constant speculation of whether we we going into lockdown. This was especially prevalent in both Autumn 20 and 21; in 2021 it was even worse as it was post vaccine roll out. It made me think that...

Reading the Integrated Rail Plan, it suggests that at least 1 tph from Manchester to Euston will remain using the WCML, but this will be a semi-fast stopping service, so will stop at more places than now, including Nuneaton and Milton Keynes. Given that the proposed 2b service pattern suggests...

Phase 2b to Manchester is expected to be delivered between 2035 and 2041; it’s quite a big window. I saw on my local news site (alderley edge.com) the following which suggests it’s on the earlier side of that - “Lindsey Preece, Senior Communications Manager, said "Subject to the Parliamentary...

I was pleased to see the Labour policy, it seems quite workable compared to the current policy and comes across as a fair way of balancing the needs of the trans community and needs for single sex spaces for women. As a gay man, I have noticed a distinct increase in homophobia in the last year...

The problem is the current trans law creates a catch 22 - you need to live as the opposite gender for 2 years before being eligible for surgery. So a trans person has to use the opposite gender toilets despite having not physically had surgery. Most other European states have reduced that...

The proposed amendment to the Equality Act basically removes the ability to transition as it states that you will always be treated as your birth sex. So even if you’ve been living as a transwomen for 10 years and are post-op, you’ll be put in the men’s ward in hospital. And you cannot use the...

I’m not sure that’s quite true here - the report indicates that a lot of the work is still being done. The WCML has diversions for Manchester services this week to allow for a new bridge to be installed for HS2. In projects, when it comes to cost, time, and quality, you can usually only pick...

The “preview” service is 3tph captive to Curzon street only. From reading the annual report, it’s clear the Handsacre link is still being built, albeit at a slower pace. Once that’s open, given the option to split trains at Interchange, it’ll be possible to run 3tph to both Birmingham and...