Midlands Connect have recently released a report following a study into how the East Midlands can maximise opportunities presented by the arrival of HS2 in the region – and as part of their plan trams/light rail feature both in the short-term and longer-term plans with Nottingham Express Transit extensions said to be important to help the area improve connections.
In the introduction to the report into the study, Sir John Peace, Chairman of Midlands Connect and Midlands Engine, said: “The arrival of High Speed Two is a watershed moment for our region, and an opportunity that we must grasp with both hands. Now that the Government has confirmed its support for HS2, in its entirety, the East Midlands must step forward and work together to secure the transport network, economic future and social mobility it deserves.That means ensuring fast and reliable access to high speed rail services from the hub station at Toton. It means spreading the benefits of high speed rail to businesses and workers across the region, from our great cities of Derby, Leicester and Nottingham, to bustling towns like Mansfield and Loughborough and smaller communities that may otherwise feel HS2 won’t benefit them. This truly integrated transport strategy isn’t just about connecting more people to the HS2 station; it will also support the building of new homes, accelerate transformational regeneration and link some of our most deprived communities to nationally-important assets across the East Midlands.”
So, what does the study actually say about trams or light rail? In phase one – said to be implemented and operational within 10 years – it proposes an extension of Nottingham Express Transit from the Toton Lane terminus to Long Eaton via two new stops at the planned Innovation Campus development and HS2 East Midlands Hub station. This has been discussed frequently as a possibility to form part of the general transport offering connected to HS2 and would be a fairly simple extension to the tramway.
Longer term (phase two – to be implemented and operational within 20 years) could see Nottingham Express Transit extended to Derby from the stop at the HS2 East Midlands Hub. This would include 11 new stops at Longmoor Lane, M1 Park and Ride, Breaston, Draycott, Borrowash, Spondon, Wyvern Park and Ride, Pride Park, Derby Railway Station, Derby Bus Station and Derby City Centre. Although this is proposed as a possible tramway extension they are also investigating whether it would be better off as Bus Rapid Transit.
Phase three (within 25 years) could see a tram-train service connecting into the NET network to a proposed development site to the west of East Midlands Airport. 11,000 houses and associated development would be built here and the new service would have stops provided at Radcliffe-on-Soar power station development site, Kegworth village and the East Midlands Gateway Logistics Park.
On top of the tram/light rail improvements there would also be various improvement to the local rail network, bus services (including bus rapid transit) and road infrastructure.
It is estimated that the complete suite of improvements outlined in the study would cost £2.7 billion over 25 years with phase one costing £255 million, phase two £1.2 billion and phase three £1.05 billion. It is said that phase one could be delivered before the opening of the HS2 East Midlands Hub and that for every £1 spent, over £4 in economic benefits for local communities could be delivered.
Estimated costs of the tram/light rail part of the plans are:
* Toton Lane to Long Eaton via Innovation Campus and East Midlands Hub NET extension – £115 million
* East Midlands Hub to Derby NET extension – £375 million
* Long Eaton to East Midlands Gateway via Housing development sites and Ratcliffe Power Station tram-train/NET – £430 million
The report now asks that the government provide £4.5 million for Phase One of the scheme. This would allow it to move to the next stage of development, including production of more detailed project designs, engineering solutions and costings. It is hoped that an outline business case for Phase One could be delivered by the end of 2021.
There is a very long way to go but the study gives a tantalising glimpse of what could be a much enlarged tram network in the East Midlands over the next 25 years.
* The study report can be read in full on the Midlands Connect website.
I wonder how long the journey from the centre of Nottingham to the HS2 hub station would take. It will probably be quicker to take a train from Nottingham [Midland] Station to St Pancras.
It strikes me HS2 is a waste of time and money. The money could be spent on much more useful schemes like the electrification of the existing railways in the East Midlands (as once was promised and then withdrawn).