Rob Johnston
Lifestyle / Property
December 07 2017
Nick Jackson
Cumbria Chamber of Commerce is demanding a rethink of plans for HS2 after it
emerged that trains from London will pass through the county without stopping.
The £56bn high-speed line is due to reach Wigan by 2033, from where trains will
continue over existing tracks to Scotland.
But assumptions published by HS2 show that London trains will not stop between
Preston and Glasgow or Edinburgh, forcing Cumbrian passengers to change at
Preston.
The chamber’s chief executive Rob Johnston said: “It strikes us as bizarre that HS2
trains would hurtle through the county without stopping, given that Cumbria has so
much to offer.
“How are we expected to boost Cumbria’s tourism sector if we make it more difficult
for tourists to come, and how are we supposed to host nationally-significant
infrastructure projects such as Moorside?”
HS2 is adamant that it will bring significant benefits to Cumbria.
The fastest journey to London from Carlisle will be 154 minutes, down from 195
minutes now, while from Penrith the fastest journey will be cut from 177 minutes to
138, and from Oxenholme from 154 minutes to 115.
The new timings include 10 minutes to change trains at Preston.
But Johnston said: “Passengers don’t want to change trains and, as soon as you
introduce a change, you have the potential for a missed connection.
“We will be lobbying government directly, and using our influence through the
British Chambers of Commerce, to change this.
“It’s imperative that Cumbria doesn’t lose its direct rail service to the capital. If that
were to happen, it would certainly damage our economy.”
HS2’s proposals do allow for through trains from Cumbria to Birmingham without a
change.
A new franchise, West Coast Partnership, is due to take over the West Coast Main
Line from Virgin in 2019 and will operate HS2 services when they start running
between London and Birmingham in 2026.
It has yet to be awarded, although the Government announced a shortlist of bidders
this summer. The franchise holder will be able to make a commercial decision on
where trains stop.
The chamber is planning to lobby the successful bidder to ensure there are stops at
Oxenholme, Penrith and Carlisle, and is already mobilising support for its
campaign.
It has approached the three MPs whose constituencies straddle the West Coast
Main Line, who have pledged to take up the issue.
Gill Haigh, managing director of Cumbria Tourism, said: “Cumbria Tourism fully
supports Cumbria Chamber of Commerce’s lobbying.
“With two world heritage sites and increasing numbers of domestic and
international visitors, it is unacceptable to see the proposed HS2 service, which is
designed to benefit the ‘North of England’, will not stop here.”
Rob Johnston
Lifestyle / Property
December 07 2017
Nick Jackson
Cumbria Chamber of Commerce is demanding a rethink of plans for HS2 after it
emerged that trains from London will pass through the county without stopping.
The £56bn high-speed line is due to reach Wigan by 2033, from where trains will
continue over existing tracks to Scotland.
But assumptions published by HS2 show that London trains will not stop between
Preston and Glasgow or Edinburgh, forcing Cumbrian passengers to change at
Preston.
The chamber’s chief executive Rob Johnston said: “It strikes us as bizarre that HS2
trains would hurtle through the county without stopping, given that Cumbria has so
much to offer.
“How are we expected to boost Cumbria’s tourism sector if we make it more difficult
for tourists to come, and how are we supposed to host nationally-significant
infrastructure projects such as Moorside?”
HS2 is adamant that it will bring significant benefits to Cumbria.
The fastest journey to London from Carlisle will be 154 minutes, down from 195
minutes now, while from Penrith the fastest journey will be cut from 177 minutes to
138, and from Oxenholme from 154 minutes to 115.
The new timings include 10 minutes to change trains at Preston.
But Johnston said: “Passengers don’t want to change trains and, as soon as you
introduce a change, you have the potential for a missed connection.
“We will be lobbying government directly, and using our influence through the
British Chambers of Commerce, to change this.
“It’s imperative that Cumbria doesn’t lose its direct rail service to the capital. If that
were to happen, it would certainly damage our economy.”
HS2’s proposals do allow for through trains from Cumbria to Birmingham without a
change.
A new franchise, West Coast Partnership, is due to take over the West Coast Main
Line from Virgin in 2019 and will operate HS2 services when they start running
between London and Birmingham in 2026.
It has yet to be awarded, although the Government announced a shortlist of bidders
this summer. The franchise holder will be able to make a commercial decision on
where trains stop.
The chamber is planning to lobby the successful bidder to ensure there are stops at
Oxenholme, Penrith and Carlisle, and is already mobilising support for its
campaign.
It has approached the three MPs whose constituencies straddle the West Coast
Main Line, who have pledged to take up the issue.
Gill Haigh, managing director of Cumbria Tourism, said: “Cumbria Tourism fully
supports Cumbria Chamber of Commerce’s lobbying.
“With two world heritage sites and increasing numbers of domestic and
international visitors, it is unacceptable to see the proposed HS2 service, which is
designed to benefit the ‘North of England’, will not stop here.”
