Tony Lennon High Speed Rail: Regional Impact Page 1
High Speed Rail: A Global Trend HSR implemented or being considered in most developing countries Europe and Japan over 30 years experience in design and construction of HSR systems 1981 introduction of Paris/Lyon TGV HSR systems deliver step changes in journey times High Speed Rail: Regional Impact Page 2
Changes in Journey Times Following Introduction of HSR Route Before After Paris Lyon 5 hours 2 hours Paris Brussels 3 hours 1 hour 20 mins London Brussels 6 hours 2 hours Madrid Barcelona 5 hours 2 hours 45 mins High Speed Rail: Regional Impact Page 3
Strategic Impact of HSR Services Dramatically enhanced connectivity Reduction of transport congestion Boost of regional/national economic competitiveness Enhanced regional productivity/employment opportunities outside capital cities Step change in transport system capability Impact on towns and cities relatively close to regional/national centres High Speed Rail: Regional Impact Page 4
High Speed Rail: A Commuter Railway? HSR = long distance travel Primary objective is not to serve daily commuter but. - Time savings makes it possible to commute daily up to 200km away from home - HSR provides opportunity to expand outside cities - HSR systems likely to have spare operating capacity for local services - Regions demand benefits High Speed Rail: Regional Impact Page 5
Case Study: Growing Importance of Commuter HSR Most European countries traditionally don t have long distance commutes to work HSR provides regional stations close to major centres stimulus for economic growth London = exception to European commuting model Even so, initial concept of developing the Channel Tunnel Rail Link into a commuter system was not thought of seriously in the early planning stages High Speed Rail: Regional Impact Page 6
Case Study: HS1 in the UK 1994 Channel tunnel linking UK to France completed Eurostar linked Paris and Brussels to London In England trains used the existing rail infrastructure and shared it with commuter service not sustainable 1995 - construction of dedicated link at 115kms to London accepted / detailed planning commenced Route would pass close to regional centres of Ashford (160,000 population), Maidstone (200,000 population) and the Medway towns (200,000+ population) High Speed Rail: Regional Impact Page 7
HSR1 Route Map High Speed Rail: Regional Impact Page 8
HSR1 UK: An Intense Planning Process Construction and operation of HS1 required approval of UK Parliament Two schools of thought emerged Local rail planners recognised early the opportunity to utilise the route for a new form of commuter service UK national government supported this and provision for domestic passenger services and freight were included within the Act and scope of the new railway High Speed Rail: Regional Impact Page 9
HSR1 UK: A Tail of Two Towns Ashford Market town 90km from central London Excellent but slow conventional rail service Economically stagnant in 1990 s. Planning authorities fully supportive of sighting HSR stations for domestic and international services in town Persuaded rail planners to route line through town centre (original proposal was to bypass the town) High Speed Rail: Regional Impact Page 10
HSR1 UK: A Tail of Two Towns Maidstone Country town of Kent, 50 km from London Prosperous with rail services, taking over one hour to arrive in London. Strong commuter market HSR routing vigorously opposed. Proposals for a station on the outskirts of town rejected Town planners did not engage with rail planning authorities at a political and practical level Presentation Title 10/17/2011 Page 11
HSR1 UK: Engaging With Planning Teams Rail planners prepared to go to extraordinary measures to address local concerns and issues Objections to route extremely vocal - put pressure on town planners to adopt public consensus Ashford town planners engaged early in the development with rail authorities, national and regional Government Recognised Ashford should have a HSR station and HSR route too High Speed Rail: Regional Impact Page 12
HSR1 UK: 15 Years Post Planning 2007 - Full HSR1 network opened High speed stations opened at Stratford, Ebbsfleet and Ashford Domestic HSR services operating between Ashford and London St Pancras Estimated by 2031Ashford will have built 31,000 new homes and created 28,000 new jobs Maidstone remained off the network 2010 they began lobbying for high speed station - this was rejected High Speed Rail: Regional Impact Page 13
HSR1 UK: Some Lessons Potential to dramatically boost connectivity Regional organisations must be required to: - Come together with common purpose - Engage early with Government and rail authorities - Have a clear / bold vision and understanding of what is required - Recognise that HSR will have its objectors High Speed Rail: Regional Impact Page 14
HSR1 UK: Impact on UK Policy Governments recognise HSR has a regional regenerative role Good connectivity of regions close to London is important Connectivity can also help shield vulnerable regions from the worst effects of the economic cycle eg. Ashford HSR can have surprising benefits - without a station at Stratford, it is unlikely that the 2012 Olympics would be in London High Speed Rail: Regional Impact Page 15
Thank You High Speed Rail: Regional Impact Page 16