Scrapping HS2 for those further north

Leeds to Manchester needs huge improvement. So many people commute that route

I am of the opinion we just can't afford it at present. The pandemic re allocated the money set aside for it and in terms of the environmental issues I am pleased.

More broken promises, no wonder he wouldn’t give a straight answer at yesterday’s PMQs.

We can’t afford not to. We need to be able to transport more freight by rail. And what happened to all the electrification that was supposed to be happening? How can they upgrade existing track without causing massive disruption? There’s all this talk about HS2 going to Nottingham Parkway, but I bet not many people realise that Parkway is a station in the middle of nowhere? It’s yet another broken promise.

You're not kidding about East Midland Parkway being in the middle of nowhere - I travelled from there last weekend and its quite spooky, especially the noise from the water being cooled in the coal-fired power station next door.

I guess the intention is that it would become an interchange hub.

I couldn't agree more that a high speed, efficient link is needed between Liverpool, Manchester and Leeds (as a minimum), if the "north" is to stand any chance of being "levelled up".

However, my opinion doesn't matter - it's another broken promise.

There doesn't seem to be much information as to what is intended instead. I gather some of the line isn't of sufficient distance to ever be high speed but I don't know why they decided to abandon the eastern bit. Is it through wonderful countryside? Difficult terrain?

I'm only interested as its in the news a lot and like to know what they're on about. I'm in Norfolk. A bit short of railways where I am and I'm just grateful that we now have a continuous dualled road from Norwich out of the county. Just need to get to it!

This is just the tip of the iceberg. Having taken holiday in Norfolk I know how long it can take by road. I love the railways and they could go towards solving transport problems as well as haulage difficulties. It’s all so short sighted. Our infrastructure like the NHS is falling apart through lack of investment.

There’s obviously little will to invest in very little except the southeast. Personally I didn’t expect it to happen anyway but that’s not the point.

Josianne

I am of the opinion we just can't afford it at present. The pandemic re allocated the money set aside for it and in terms of the environmental issues I am pleased.

The pandemic money is not a problem. We don't 'owe' it to anyone. It doesn't have to be 'repaid' or compensated for with cuts.

HS2 is a sound investment of state money and, although I don't particularly agree with it, I can see that it will benefit the economy. Particularly the northern economy.

Don't let the tories fool you.

The problem with our country is that we don't get on with things so I am happier seeing what we've got upgraded rather than new things started.

East Midlands Parkway is not actually the middle of nowhere. And, the power station is now decommissioned or will be shortly. There is a plan for one of the potential small RR nuclear generated hubs to be sited there.

It is close to East Midlands Airport, the M1 and 3 universities in the forefront of technical innovation.

Thanks Kitty. I shall away to Mr Google Earth to find out where East Midlands Parkway is.

kittylester

The problem with our country is that we don't get on with things so I am happier seeing what we've got upgraded rather than new things started.

East Midlands Parkway is not actually the middle of nowhere. And, the power station is now decommissioned or will be shortly. There is a plan for one of the potential small RR nuclear generated hubs to be sited there.

It is close to East Midlands Airport, the M1 and 3 universities in the forefront of technical innovation.

But how far is it from Nottingham? Or Derby. Or Leicester? There’s no way that lines can be upgraded without massive disruption. Also, the government keep harping on about train times being shorter but the more important thing is to get freight off the roads. Interesting that this was all announced after COP 26.

Josianne

I am of the opinion we just can't afford it at present. The pandemic re allocated the money set aside for it and in terms of the environmental issues I am pleased.

I agree, and think that many villages in that region will agree too!
Improving the existing infrastructure is a much better idea.

kittylester

The problem with our country is that we don't get on with things so I am happier seeing what we've got upgraded rather than new things started.

East Midlands Parkway is not actually the middle of nowhere. And, the power station is now decommissioned or will be shortly. There is a plan for one of the potential small RR nuclear generated hubs to be sited there.

It is close to East Midlands Airport, the M1 and 3 universities in the forefront of technical innovation.

It wasn't decommissioned last weekend, kitty.

East Midlands Parkway is about 10 miles from both Loughborough and Nottingham Universities and maybe 20 from Leicester. As I think you know there are good links by rail to both Loughborough and Leicester. I don't know about Nottingham but I imagine there are trains.

In my view, opening local stations is a brilliant idea but, for instance, our village station is not accessible by anyone with any sort of disability and that needs to be addressed.

It may be by next weekend growstuff ?

I agree kitty that in the rush to do the ‘big stuff’ the ‘little stuff’ has been forgotten about.
There are so many improvements that could be done.

MayBee70

kittylester

The problem with our country is that we don't get on with things so I am happier seeing what we've got upgraded rather than new things started.

East Midlands Parkway is not actually the middle of nowhere. And, the power station is now decommissioned or will be shortly. There is a plan for one of the potential small RR nuclear generated hubs to be sited there.

It is close to East Midlands Airport, the M1 and 3 universities in the forefront of technical innovation.

But how far is it from Nottingham? Or Derby. Or Leicester? There’s no way that lines can be upgraded without massive disruption. Also, the government keep harping on about train times being shorter but the more important thing is to get freight off the roads. Interesting that this was all announced after COP 26.

It's a few miles from those towns. Freight would still need to be transported by road. The area would lose out on better connections to Leeds, the North East and Scotland.

PS. The staff from the universities communicate with each other online, not by rail.

PPS. Maybe somebody could invest in joining up the two stations in Newark.

lemongrove

It may be by next weekend growstuff ?

I'll check it out. The water from the cooling towers makes a racket.

There is a massive freight hub adjacent to East Midkand Parkway, close a few distribution centres and EMA.

kittylester

East Midlands Parkway is about 10 miles from both Loughborough and Nottingham Universities and maybe 20 from Leicester. As I think you know there are good links by rail to both Loughborough and Leicester. I don't know about Nottingham but I imagine there are trains.

In my view, opening local stations is a brilliant idea but, for instance, our village station is not accessible by anyone with any sort of disability and that needs to be addressed.

With all due respect, Loughborough and Leicester aren't the centre of the universe. I travelled to/from Newcastle from EMP and the journey was slow until we caught the East Coast mainline. The connection (walk) at Newark was ridiculous.

It's a stone's throw from Nottingham's Sutton Bonington campus, but a fair distance from the main site.

The issue is that the upgraded route will end at EMP and it will still be a hassle to connect with the East Coast mainline further north. It also needs better connections to Peterborough and Cambridge, if it's really going to be able to take advantage of technical innovation.

kittylester

There is a massive freight hub adjacent to East Midkand Parkway, close a few distribution centres and EMA.

Exactly! The freight still needs transporting by road. Meanwhile, the surrounding villages are plagued by the noise of night flights carrying freight.

PS. There's a possibility I might be moving to the area next year, but the plane noise, the remoteness and the poor transport links really put me off.

Nottingham university's SuttonBonington Campus is largely vetinary and fairly inaccessible.

Leicester and Loughborough are obviously not the centre of the universe but have very well regarded,innovative universities.

A disaster and betrayal for the North, Bradford and Leeds. Anyone from those towns who can comment on how people feel there about this?

What exactly is the point of the East Midlands hub now if there is not a North East connection though, as all the East Midlands cities are already easily accessible to each other by train and to Birmingham?