HS2 and NPR access to Leeds probed

Further investigations are underway into how HS2 and Northern Powerhouse Rail services should access Leeds and Bradford.

West Yorkshire Combined Authority has been working with Transport for the North, Network Rail and the DfT to examine options in an exercise that will inform the new integrated rail plan for the North and Midlands. 

WYCA’s head of rail James Nutter, told councillors that work had looked at “whether or not the proposed touchpoint between the HS2 and classic rail networks south of Leeds at Stourton – not part of the current design scope for the HS2 Phase 2b Hybrid Bill – is required to deliver the vision”. 

“Earlier work by TfN showed that Stourton Junction is not required to achieve the agreed outputs of the HS2 and NPR programmes when considered in isolation,” he said.

“The study has taken an integrated approach building on Transpennine Route Upgrade, HS2 and NPR to consider the connectivity needs based on future economic, social and environmental trends. The work suggests that a combination of a Clayton North Junction and other infrastructure may deliver better outcomes than Stourton for West Yorkshire and the wider north of England.

“Following completion of the study, further work is being commissioned by the NPR co-clients [TfN and the DfT] to investigate the case for a Clayton North Junction that would allow northbound trains from HS2 to access an upgraded Doncaster to Leeds route via Wakefield, and with a re-instated Wortley Curve to enable direct access to Bradford. 

“Until this further work is satisfactorily concluded, Stourton Junction remains in play as a clear West Yorkshire priority,” said Nutter.