Network Rail’s West Coast South Strategic Advice study suggests there are ‘significant opportunities’ to improve passenger and freight services the southern section of the West Coast main line (WCML) when High Speed 2 Phase One opens. It also identifies constraints, with additional tracks between Bletchley and Milton Keynes highlighted as a priority.
Five scenarios were tested – freight focus, intermediate markets, east-west connectivity, new connections and commuter peak. In each one, benefits were identified using released capacity without any additional infrastructure.
Objectives were also identified – to maximise revenue, support development, encourage modal shift, stimulate new markets and to support freight growth. Under all the scenarios, there was an uplift from the post-HS2 economic baseline, both in terms of revenue and abstraction…
