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Major milestone for HS2 as first piece of legislation receives go-ahead.
The High Speed Rail Preparation (paving) Act has received Royal Assent.
HS2 took a major step forward today (21 November 2013) as the High Speed Rail Preparation (paving) Act received Royal Assent following its successful passage through Parliament.
The act received overwhelming cross party support throughout its Commons and Lords stages, with both MPs and Peers joining with the government to emphasise the importance of HS2 to the country’s capacity needs and growth ambitions and pushing for it to be delivered as soon as possible.
This act allows expenditure on essential preparatory work, including construction design, on Phase One and Phase Two of HS2 and all future phases of a high speed rail network. It also provides reassurance to continue making compensation payments to those affected by the route.
Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin said:
This is a major milestone in the HS2 project. The new north-south railway needs cross party backing, so I am very pleased that MPs representing constituencies across the country and Peers from all 3 main parties have again given a clear signal of support.
Following the success of the paving Act, the hybrid Bill will be introduced into Parliament for its first reading on Monday. It is this bill that will ultimately give government the powers to construct and operate the railway.Receiving Royal Assent for this act on schedule provides the public and businesses further reassurance of our determination to drive forward and deliver HS2 as quickly as possible.
The paving Act passed its final stage in the House of Lords on Tuesday.
At the third reading in the House of Commons last month, MPs voted 350 to 34 in favour of the act.
The paving Act will allow expenditure to be incurred on:
- undertaking more detailed design work
- letting contracts for designing the construction of the line
- designing the realignment of existing railway
- planning the movement of utilities
- carrying out ground investigation and ecological surveys
- making compensation payments to homeowners
HS2 Growth Taskforce comes to Yorkshire to secure maximum boost for region's economy
HS2 Growth Taskforce roadshow visits Yorkshire.
The HS2 Growth Taskforce is meeting key figures from across Yorkshire today (20 November 2013) as part of a series of roadshows designed to ensure regions maximise the benefits of high speed rail.
HS2 is set to play a key role in job creation, regeneration and development across the county. A new high speed station at Leeds New Lane adjacent to the existing station will allow for easy movement between the two. The journey time to and from London will be cut from 2 hours 12 minutes to 1 hour 23 minutes, while the stations in Leeds, Sheffield, East Midlands and Birmingham will each be less than 20 minutes apart, making daily commuting easy.
Combined with the current programme of electrification and plans for completing the Northern Hub, this improved connectivity will unlock the enormous potential and opportunities that Yorkshire has to offer – making it a more attractive place to locate and do business.
Land around the station will be a highly attractive investment proposition for developers and the Growth Taskforce will be looking at how to make the most of this opportunity. For example redevelopment of King’s Cross Station has seen public investment of £500 million attract £2.2 billion of private sector investment.
Commercial Secretary to the Treasury and Chair of the HS2 Growth Taskforce Lord Deighton said:
HS2 will give a massive boost to Yorkshire, creating new employment and business opportunities, freeing up capacity on the railways and improving connections. An estimated 70% of jobs from HS2 are expected to be outside the capital, which is why it is so vital that the Growth Taskforce meets with city and business leaders from across the country.Taskforce member and Chair of the Leeds City Region Local Enterprise Partnership Roger Marsh said:
Britain cannot afford to leave the economic future of the north to an overcrowded, 200 year old railway. But we don’t have to wait to feel the benefits; the Growth Taskforce is supporting regions to act now so the rewards can be felt long before the railway opens.
It is vital that Yorkshire does everything possible to maximise the benefits that the new north-south line offers.
We are determined to squeeze out every possible benefit from HS2 for Leeds and the wider city region, so I am very pleased to welcome the Growth Taskforce to the city.The government believes HS2 will be a key driver of jobs and growth. It is estimated that the new station in Leeds could support the construction of around 2,400 new houses after up to 19,700 jobs are opened up. Research published recently by KPMG showed that HS2 could boost productivity in West Yorkshire – including Leeds, Bradford, Calderdale, Wakefield and Kirklees - by £1 billion per year within five years of the railway opening. South Yorkshire – Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham and Sheffield - will see productivity gains valued at between £500 million and £900 million a year. The government sees the Taskforce as crucial in unlocking this potential.
Whilst HS2 is a vital game changer for Britain as a whole, it will also provide a wealth of lasting opportunities for us regionally. Our businesses will be better able to compete on the global stage and our economy will get a boost from the creation of jobs. That said, enhanced connectivity to and from Yorkshire also requires significant improvements across the City Region to maximise the economic return, locally and nationally.
This is a must-have opportunity and we are determined to seize it with both hands.
For places not immediately on the HS2 route, Network Rail’s report, Better Connections, shows how many could benefit from quicker, more frequent journeys and faster connections on existing lines. It explains that very little additional capacity can be squeezed from the existing railway. HS2 will provide Britain’s main rail arteries with new capacity, taking significant inter-city traffic off the existing network and allowing more local and regional services to run on these lines.
Membership of the independent expert group comprising senior business, academia and local government representatives was originally confirmed in July.
The Taskforce published its initial report last month setting out challenges for government and city leaders. In it Lord Deighton says towns and cities across the country need to act now to become ‘HS2 ready’. The final report with recommendations is due early next year.
Crucially, the regional roadshows also involve representatives from non station cities ensuring the Taskforce hears from as many people as possible.
While in Leeds, Lord Deighton will meet with local council leaders and representatives from businesses and universities to discuss the opportunities HS2 will bring.
HS2 will:
- better connect 18 of Britain’s cities either directly or indirectly
- provide 351 miles of track linking London to Birmingham and Birmingham to Manchester and Leeds
- see trains will run at 225 miles per hour, with the potential to increase this to 250 miles per hour
- see Phase 1 between London and the West Midlands open in 2026 and Phase 2 to Leeds and Manchester open in 2033
- see 5 hourly services departing Leeds: three to London and two to Birmingham. There will be 5 hourly arrivals: 3 from London and 2 from Birmingham
Lord Deighton and the HS2 Growth Taskforce visit Leeds to meet key figures from across Yorkshire as part of a series of roadshows designed to ensure regions maximise the benefits of high speed rail.
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RAIL 33:
The New Rail Reality RAIL Magazine's 33rd edition focuses on such vital topics as the cost of rail projects, high-speed passenger rail, rail at the ballot box and rail's profitability. This thought-provoking edition of RAIL also features coverage of positive train control, railway rehab, two linked rail-themed podcasts and more. The New Rail Reality: On the Right Track .
The New Rail Reality: On the Right Track
 | RAIL Magazine's 33rd edition focuses on such vital topics as the cost of rail projects, high-speed passenger rail, rail at the ballot box and rail's profitability. This thought-provoking edition of RAIL also features coverage of positive train control, railway rehab, two linked rail-themed podcasts and more. DownloadDownload Rail in full or choose from the articles featured below.
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| To ease our readers in the transition to RAIL magazine's new digital format, we have developed a troubleshooting tips for downloading the magazine, as well as a guide to using the new publication once it is downloaded. | |
In this Issue
From the Editors
 | RAIL Magazine Editor-in-Chief Scott Bogren gives readers a tour of edition #33, providing context for the publication's features and departments. Give this short video a view before diving into the articles.
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The Rail Yard
 | A closer look at the U.S. Government Accountability Office's positive train control recommendations and The RRIF program is authorized to provide direct loans and loan guarantees up to $35 billion to finance develop of railroad infrastructure.
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All Aboard
 | A capsule look at the latest passenger rail developments, breaking news and service expansions.
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Passenger Rail's Economic Duality: Why Rail Projects are Expensive or You Get What You Pay For
 | The dilemma of massively rising project costs is becoming a recurring concern for passenger rail advocates, community and elected leaders. RAIL takes a look at this important issue from a historic and contemporary perspective. |
The U.S. is Not Alone: Britain's High-Speed Rail Challenges Mirror Those Here
 | An update from across the pond on high-speed rail in the UK. |
Vox Populi: What the 2012 California Rail Initiatives Really Tell Us
 | Two important California passenger rail measures barely missed the necessary supermajority for passage in November 2012. What's to be learned? |
Can Passenger Rail Operations Become Profitable and Lure Private Interest?
 | The promising initial returns of new passenger rail services in Virginia and Massachusetts suggest a broadening window for rail options that attract enough riders to cover expenses. What's next? |
Departments
 | Ten years ago, the village of Tinley Park, Ill., set out to build new stations that would display its respect for rail and a passenger with a disability takes an in-depth look at the newly dedicated MARC Halethorpe Station.
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The RAIL Podcast: Discussions with Napa Valley Wine Train CEO and Fast Trains Author
 | Two new podcast discussions conducted by RAIL Editor Rich Sampson. |
Historic Ties
 | Lynchburg, Va.'s Kemper Street Station circa 1915. Today it is the terminus of one of the few profitable intercity passenger rail routes in North America.
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