Manchester, Sheffield Leeds.

[21C101]

Does the current plan of a new line from Manchester to somewhere near Slaithwaite and canning of Clayton to Leeds allow for rethink, where a future extension to Leeds loops further south and has a triangular junction somewhere near Kirkburton, with a high speed line to Sheffield?

Therefore giving high speed between all three of Manchester Leeds, Manchester Sheffield and Sheffield to Leeds?

 

[61653 HTAFC]

To build a triangular grade-separated junction near Kirkburton with curvature suitable for high-speed, you'd probably need all the coal left underneath Yorkshire to be magically turned into diamond and brought to the surface overnight.

 

[matacaster]

To build a triangular grade-separated junction near Kirkburton with curvature suitable for high-speed, you'd probably need all the coal left underneath Yorkshire to be magically turned into diamond and brought to the surface overnight.

This suggestion has just left rishi sunak spluttering in his cornflakes.

 

[Halifaxlad]

Does the current plan of a new line from Manchester to somewhere near Slaithwaite and canning of Clayton to Leeds allow for rethink, where a future extension to Leeds loops further south and has a triangular junction somewhere near Kirkburton, with a high speed line to Sheffield?

Therefore giving high speed between all three of Manchester Leeds, Manchester Sheffield and Sheffield to Leeds?

If you want high speed services to Sheffield, then have a direct new line!

 

[Iskra]

It's a big and expensive risk to undertake.

If you wanted to do something like this you could start by running a fast service along the Penistone line, or installing a curve at Horbury onto the Hallam Line. Either option would be significantly cheaper. They wouldn't be high speed but would provide faster journey opportunities than now between Huddersfield, Barnsley and Sheffield. I'm not sure it would provide any benefit for Manchester-Sheffield journeys however.

 

[JonathanH]

If you wanted to do something like this you could start by running a fast service along the Penistone line, or installing a curve at Horbury onto the Hallam Line

Neither surely, you go via Hare Park and use the existing curve at Wakefield. Sheffield to Huddersfield is 50 minutes non-stop via Hare Park on the overnight train which would be broadly competitive with either route noted (although misses Barnsley).

Doesn't help with Manchester though.

 

[Iskra]

Neither surely, you go via Hare Park and use the existing curve at Wakefield. Sheffield to Huddersfield is 50 minutes non-stop via Hare Park on the overnight train which would be broadly competitive with either route noted (although misses Barnsley).

Doesn't help with Manchester though.

A very good point. There are much cheaper options then!

 

[61653 HTAFC]

Neither surely, you go via Hare Park and use the existing curve at Wakefield. Sheffield to Huddersfield is 50 minutes non-stop via Hare Park on the overnight train which would be broadly competitive with either route noted (although misses Barnsley).

Doesn't help with Manchester though.

Huddersfield to Sheffield is 26 miles as the crow flies, so 50 minutes is still quite poor. If the Horbury curve was reinstated you might get that down to 35-40 minutes and still be able to serve Barnsley. The OP's suggestion of a new line via Kirkburton is a complete non-starter, but the curve might be doable if there was potential for freight use as well as passenger.