The planned HS2 station at Toton could open several years ahead of schedule, and before the arrival of HS2 Phase 2b in 2033.
East Midlands Hub, located on existing railway land between Nottingham and Derby, would open to classic services during the 2020s. New road infrastructure and the construction of an adjacent ‘innovation campus’ and Garden Village housing development would also be brought forward.
The announcement follows a meeting between East Midlands Councils, Midland Connect and Secretary of State for Transport Chris Grayling, with a commitment made to working towards achieving four key outcomes.
These include early construction of the station and associated residential and commercial developments, but also relocation of the Network Rail/DB Cargo depot at Toton and creation of a delivery body to maximise the potential of the innovation campus (which could support 10,000 jobs) and Garden Village.
Midlands Connect and East Midlands Councils have also pledged to continue lobbying the Department for Transport to build a link between the Midland Main Line and HS2 Phase 2b, to enable classic compatible trains to run to the north of England from places such as Leicester.
“HS2 will become the backbone of our national rail network supporting growth and regeneration, bringing passengers faster journey times, and delivering an estimated 74,000 jobs and adding nearly £4 billion to the East Midlands economy by 2043,” said Grayling.
- For the full story, read RAIL 845, published on January 31, and available digitally from January 27 on Android and iPad.
Graham Nalty - 19/01/2018 20:12
Far more regeneration and growth of jobs could be achieved if HS2 services were directed to Derby and Nottingham city centre stations rather than at Toton. East Midlands Parkway would be a far better site if the HS2 station has to be on the HS2 line. It already has services to Nottingham, Derby and Leicester and could be far better future proofed for long term growth. Toton will have a lot of problems with conflicting moves on the junctions with the Nottingham to Derby lines that can only be achieved with expensive grade separated junctions - the cost of which would give a far better return if used to connect Nottingham to HS2 in both directions.