HS2 'could help boost commuter services to London'

Date: 4/4/2011

Commuters could witness an increase in the number of train services connecting them with London if the government's high-speed rail (HS2) plans are realised, it has been suggested.

The Department for Transport reports that 11 additional journeys could be offered each hour on the West Coast Main Line once the initial phase of the rail network has been completed.

This would be a high-speed track constructed between London and the West Midlands, before the second stage sees this being extended to Manchester and Leeds.

As a result, Transport Secretary Philip Hammond claimed that people commuting from towns such as Milton Keynes, Northampton and Rugby could find they are better connected to the capital.

"Building a whole new line would create scope for people who live on the current lines to have more frequent services that are less crowded - I would also hope that this additional competition could mean cheaper fares as well," he explained.

The government's consultation into HS2 began in February and since then Mr Hammond and other Transport Ministers have been meeting with business and civic leaders across the country to detail the benefits the project could have on their regions.

Posted by Mary Treen