HSRG’s Bold Move: A Real‑World Playbook for HS2
Imagine your favourite high‑speed train getting a fresh, no‑frills makeover. That’s what the High Speed Rail Group (HSRG) is pitching this time. Their memo to the Treasury? A recipe for the “best‑deal” HS2: keep it lean, keep it fast, and, most importantly, keep it within the budget that even your grandma could understand.
The “Euston‑Crewe Core” – the Sweet Spot of the System
HSRG lobbies for a trimmed‑down route that jogs straight from London’s Euston to Crewe. Think of it as the speed‑piercing core of a fork, cutting through the roadblock of a sprawling extension. This slice is designed to deliver:
- Guaranteed capacity boost between London, the West Midlands, and the North West – faster, smoother, and with fewer detours.
- Economic growth on tap – a direct line to the government’s ambitions of lifting the UK’s economy without blowing the estate.
- Zero‑loss super‑charger for existing UK railways – by saving the West Coast Main Line from that notorious bottleneck.
Cost‑Crunch and 35% Savings: The ‘Mighty Fast’ Spin
The group is nudging the Treasury to cancel two major spending bumps: the West Midlands‑Crewe link and a scaled‑down, budget‑friendly Euston Station. Their numbers look like this:
- “Un‑freeze” the West‑Midlands‑Crewe connection – lower cost per mile than the original Phase 2a and pivotal for easing the rail line’s pressure points.
- A simple, functional Euston station with six platforms and a springboard beam for future growth – keeping the equation simple and the cost low.
HSRG says they could slash costs by 35% – which works out to £3 – 4 billion saved in total. Yes, you noticed that the dot‑dot‑dot in the numbers wasn’t a typographical error; it’s a serious math joke.
Concession Magic: Turning Tracks Into Treasure
What’s a concession? Think of it as turning your train line into a profitable playground. The group estimates a rent‑back model for a London‑Birmingham & Crewe line could bring in £7.5 – 10 billion to taxpayers.
But, you see, the magic only rolls if the Euston Station and West‑Midlands–Crewe link are in place. Without those, the value of a HS2 concession to the Treasury could shrink in half, like a dunked cake two hours later (no, not a cake…the metaphor persists!).
Lock the Doors, But Keep the Room Open
HSRG’s strategy is two‑fold: The first is to lock down the current phase in a cost‑efficient order, and the second is to keep future options open. They propose:
- Finish the land acquisition for the 2a phase between West Midlands and Crewe without delay.
- Take a long‑term view on the national rail map.
- If future extensions are at stake (and they can be), we keep them on the sidelines instead of bulldozing through the entire system.
This way, the UK preserves the possibility for later growth without juggling demolition squads across the board.
Chair’s Corner: The Final Word
Dyan Perry, Chair of HSRG says this is a real crossroad moment. “If we get it right, HS2 unleashes a multi‑billion‑pound return,” she enthuses, “but if we cut it short, we’re basically knocking the tent out of a great party.”
She also points out the ripple effects HS2 is already making: a spike in local supply chains, upskilling European workforces, and a train‑the‑train revolution.
In her own words: “Let’s invest now, sharpen our future plans, and make the UK a high‑speed superstar.”
