In a significant development for UK transportation, the Labour Party is contemplating the revival of previously abandoned High Speed Two (HS2) rail routes north of Birmingham. This consideration comes in response to a comprehensive study commissioned by the party, which advocates for an extensive program of infrastructure investment.
The report, authored by Juergen Maier, former CEO of Siemens UK, proposes the resurrection of substantial portions of the HS2 network that were controversially scrapped by Rishi Sunak in October 2023. While not officially endorsed by Labour, a party source indicated that the findings would inform future decision-making as the government conducts its own review of rail projects.
Key recommendations from Maier's report include:
- A rail route from Birmingham to Manchester
- A new rail line connecting the Midlands to Leeds
- Completion of the link from HS2's initial terminus at Old Oak Common to Euston station
These proposals, if implemented, would effectively reconstruct the originally planned HS2 network in a piecemeal fashion, albeit potentially without the same high-speed capabilities.
The timing of this report presents challenges for the Labour government, now led by Sir Keir Starmer. Implementing Maier's recommendations would require substantial financial investment at a time when public finances are under significant strain. Chancellor Rachel Reeves has already initiated a comprehensive review of public spending, expected to be published in spring 2025, after identifying a purported £22 billion deficit in public finances.
Transport Secretary Louise Haigh, who commissioned Maier's study in December 2023, has expressed her commitment to transforming Britain's transport infrastructure. The Department for Transport (DfT) is currently conducting its own internal review of infrastructure plans, acknowledging the need to address unfulfilled promises of new transport infrastructure across the country.
Maier's 81-page study calls for a paradigm shift in the government's approach to transport infrastructure. It emphasizes the potential for public-private partnerships to mitigate the impact on taxpayers, proposing a model where costs and risks are shared, and companies are partially compensated through fare revenue rather than fixed fees.
The report also suggests that project costs could be reduced by 20% and delivery times by 25% through the elimination of bureaucratic red tape. These efficiency measures could potentially make the ambitious infrastructure plans more feasible within current financial constraints.
"Unfortunately, projects like the Euston link and new capacity from Birmingham to Manchester were cancelled by our last government. While very complicated and difficult to deliver, these are among the initiatives that could happen relatively quickly."
As Labour navigates the complex landscape of infrastructure development and fiscal responsibility, the coming months will be crucial in determining the future of UK rail transport. The potential revival of HS2 routes, coupled with other proposed enhancements to the national rail network, could significantly reshape Britain's transportation landscape for decades to come.