Chamber renews call for HS2 to honour existing stopping patterns

Suzanne Caldwell

Cumbria Chamber of Commerce is re-affirming its position that high speed raid service HS2 should observe existing network patterns and look to retain direct train travel from London to Penrith and Oxenholme.

In response to the latest proposed changes which sees passengers using the stations in central and south Cumbria lose their current connectivity, the chamber is urging the Government to think about the risk of these areas losing a crucial economic lifeline.

The HS2 rail project, which is expected to cost upwards of around £106bn, will see a high speed line built from London go as far north as Golborne junction, near Wigan, from where HS2 trains will continue over existing tracks to Glasgow and Edinburgh.

However, as the plans stand, direct services from the capital will only serve Carlisle, forcing passengers from elsewhere in Cumbria to either take a service northwards first, or change at Preston.

Businesses in hospitality and tourism are some of those that could be the heaviest hit from losing a direct service to London, with many potential visitors taking preference for a direct service rather than one which is marginally quicker, yet far more frantic and at the whim of inter-connections running smoothly.

Suzanne Caldwell, managing director of Cumbria Chamber, said: “Improving connectivity is a sure fire way to boost growth and raise productivity. HS2 certainly has the potential to do that.

“Our concern is that when these high speed trains join the existing tracks, to continue their journey to Scotland, they won’t stop in Cumbria as they currently do and a large area of the county will lose its direct rail service to the capital.”

She added: “We’ve been lobbying for several years for HS2 trains to observe the existing stopping pattern north of Preston. Avanti, the operator on the West Coast Main Line, agrees with us.

“It would be self-defeating to force passengers between Carlisle and London to either change at Preston or add nearly 50 miles to their journey by having to go cross-county.

“So we’ll continue to make the case for HS2 services to call at Oxenholme and Penrith as well as Carlisle.”

Luke Jarmyn, business engagement manager at the Chamber, said: “The onset of the global COVID pandemic has been a big re-set button and a significant number of skilled workers are looking to relocate, but having direct fast trains to Penrith and Oxenholme remains key to facilitating that movement and investment.”

The chamber has reiterated its call for HS2 services ahead of an hour-long online event next Tuesday (June 29) with HS2 Minister, Andrew Stephenson – ‘HS2: How can North West businesses get involved?’ – which, the chamber says, highlights that, for commuters and businesses, especially in south Cumbria, HS2 could be a backwards step.

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