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Written question asked by Stephen Morgan (Labour) on Thursday, 22 February 2024, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 28 February 2024 (named day). It was answered by Huw Merriman (Conservative) on Wednesday, 28 February 2024 on behalf of the Department for Transport.

High Speed 2 Line

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to paragraph 24 of his Department's publication entitled Network North: transforming British transport, CP 946, published on 4 October 2023, what the evidential basis is for the statement that the new plan for HS2 will result in nearly doubling capacity up to 250,000 seats per day across the primary long-distance operator on the West Coast Main Line and Phase 1.

Answer

The estimated increased seat capacity across the primary long-distance operator on the West Coast Main Line and HS2 set out in the Network North publication was based on illustrative assumptions about the potential services that could run across existing and new infrastructure once HS2 Phase 1 is brought into service.

This assumed 3 HS2 trains per hour running between London and Birmingham with additional capacity at peak hours, and assumptions on potential services which could run north of Birmingham. The latter are now being further refined through work with industry partners.

No final decisions have been made on the train service that will run when HS2 opens. These will be made in due course and be subject to consultation, taking advice from the industry. These considerations will include passenger and freight services available on the West Coast Main Line from released capacity.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
15333
Session
2023-24
Related items
Network North: Transforming British Transport
Wednesday, 4 October 2023
Command papers
House of Commons
House of Lords
High Speed 2 Line: Birmingham
Tuesday, 19 March 2024
Written questions
House of Commons
Subjects
High Speed 2 line
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk