Feature
WILLIAM BARTER suggests the Revised Business Case for HS2 shows some muddled thinking
HS2: visual of how Birmingham Curzon Street might look
. Courtesy HS2
Notice to Proceed for the main works contracts for HS2 is very welcome news, and the Business Case that supports it gives a much clearer impression of how HS2 will operate than its predecessors.
So far as HS2 itself is concerned, the business case outlines the Phase 1/2a ‘Statement of Intent’ service. This is a careful bit of wording recognising that powers currently exist only for Phase One infrastructure, with all trains to the West Coast main line (WCML) operating by way of the Handsacre junction (the link joining HS2 to the Stafford line); however, the Phase 2a infrastructure is intended to be brought into use simultaneously with Phase One.
