Calls to open HS2 Toton station three years early

HS2 and the Department for Transport (DfT) have been urged to speed up plans for the new hub station at Toton to bring development in the East Midlands.

Reports in Construction News suggest that the DfT has faced calls from East Midlands councils to change the plans for HS2’s second phase to bring the opening of the new station forward by three years from 2033 to 2030.

The amendment is just one of the proposals for the phase 2b hybrid bill put forward by the East Midlands HS2 Growth Strategy.

Construction News says the Councils are calling for several capacity improvements on local rail in and around the Toton station. These include an integrated station design to allow easier access between the new HS2 line and the tram connection.

If accepted, the plans would also see an integrated deck built east to west over the HS2 track and a second transfer deck to the south of the main concourse which would improve capacity at the station.

Highways England and the DfT have also been urged to provide funding in the next Road Improvement Strategy (RIS2) for major work to tackle capacity issues on the M1 at junction 25 and facilitate access to the new hub station from the A52.

The growth strategy calls for the designation of Staveley as a major construction hub or rail head for delivering HS2 phase 2b, as well as the development of a maintenance depot.

Other proposals include building underpasses of the HS2 and Network Rail lines to bring forward links between Stapleford and Long Eaton, and a tram extension in north-east Nottingham.

The strategy documents has been drafted by Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire county councils, those of Derby and Nottingham City Council, and the East Midlands Chamber of Commerce.

Construction News says the D2N2 LEP is working with the local councils on the next phase of the growth plan, which will include a full business case to be submitted to the Treasury.

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