News and entertainment worth sharing – York and North Yorkshire

Scrapping the York leg of HS2 is ‘good news’ says one North Yorkshire councillor

Artist's impression of an HS2 train on the Birmingham and Fazeley viaduct, part of the proposed route for the HS2 high speed rail scheme
@ Transport

It looks like the eastern branch of the High Speed Rail Link, known as HS2, is to be scrapped by the Government.

It would have linked Birmingham with Leeds and York, via a spur onto the current Leeds to York line at Church Fenton.

The fast track could potentially have cut the journey time from York to London down below the 90 minute mark.

Trending

  1. York’s unofficial car parks, number 1: Exhibition Square
  2. Plan to impose 20mph zones across North Yorkshire leads to furious row
  3. York restaurant with ‘incredible’ Minster views and takeaway kiosk set to open soon

Now though, it’s reported that ministers will opt for building two shorter stretches of high speed line and link into the existing lines which will be upgraded.

One will run between Leeds and Sheffield, another from Birmingham to East Midlands Parkway.

But that is good news for villagers in Church Fenton, where a viaduct was planned, according to a councillor.

York Theatre Royal #Ad

Selby District Councillor Richard Musgrave says the decision will come as a relief to people who have suffered from planning blight for ten years in the village.

He said: “HS2 two was to run over a viaduct which would have significantly altered the the view of the surrounding countryside and would have blighted the houses that were near it.

“It would have had a dramatic impact and people have lived with this possibilty for almost a decade. So you can imagine the stress that residents have been under not being able to sell their houses.”

‘A mistake’

Kevin Hollinrake MP

The Northern Powerhouse Partnership, a group of northern local authorities and business leaders, said the decision to scrap the Leeds leg of HS2 was a mistake.

Conservative MP for Malton and Thirsk, Kevin Hollinrake, said the trimmed back plans indicated the Government was “not willing to put our money where our mouth is”.

York Central Labour MP Rachael Maskell said: “The way that Yorkshire and the North East has been treated with regards to investment in rail is quite astonishing.

“We’ve been promised promised an upgrade to the TransPennine line and we have been promised a link to HS2.

“It’s clear that HS2 has now become a project favouring Birmingham and the North West. It seems that the North East is separate from the plans.

“Ultimately what we want is an integrated rail service to improve our economy and to ensure that York remains one of the best connected rail stations in the country.

“I’m determined to see that and therefore, I want to question what enhancements are going to be delivered for rail infrastructure for York and Yorkshire to enable us to maintain our place as a significant station.”

An announcement is expected on Thursday.