What could this new line do for Calderdale ?

The news that a new rail line could be coming through East Calderdale, has been met with skepticism by the Halifax & District Rail Action Group who don't seem too particular keep on the idea and who appear would rather see electrification and an upgrade of the Calder Valley line instead, with more semi-fast and...

Could Manchester finally have an Underground Station ?

An underground station for Manchester has been estimated to cost up to £12.1 billion depending on which option is chosen. [1] This is for a 4 platform underground station with capability to terminate 400m long HS2 services from any platform, despite the fact that these 400m long HS2 services were never planned to head through...

Can spending on Bradford Forster Square be justified ?

Whilst many projects that were to be funded by the West Yorkshire Plus Transport Fund have had to be paused owing to inflation, many schemes appear to have escaped consideration. [1] The spending of £19.15 million on Bradford Interchange which is considered to be a temporary measure is questionable, the spending of £17.3 million on...

Why not build this new loop at Sowerby Bridge ?

A new loop is to be constructed between Hebden Bridge and Mytholmroyd on the Calder Valley line, this is in order to allow non stopping Transpennine services to overtake Calder Valley stopping services when Transpennine services are diverted via the Calder Valley in order to facilitate the Transpennine route upgrade that will see sections of...

Will the ‘Transpennine Route Upgrade’ result in a more resilient railway ?

Billions are being spent on upgrading the primary Transpennine route between Leeds & Manchester bringing faster, cleaner and greener trains. [1] This includes new lines, new stations and electrification, but will all this result in a more resilient railway ? Whilst the line itself will be much more resilient once these works have been completed,...

Could Bradford be connected to Sheffield ?

A new report has been published by Greengauge 21 that looks at how rail links between Leeds and Sheffield can be improved by 2030! [1] Whilst this report predominantly looks at links between Leeds and Sheffield it also looks at how to improve connectivity between Sheffield and other places such as Bradford! One of the...

Why is spending on Bradford Interchange being progressed ?

The news that many transport schemes across West Yorkshire are having to be paused in order to save £270 million due to inflation is very disappointing, especially for places like Halifax which was expected to see a new railway station building constructed with proper toilets for both male and female, a dedicated unisex toilet and...

Can damage to Manchester be avoided ?

According to Manchester City Council, if HS2 and Northern Powerhouse Rail goes ahead as planned “part of Manchester will be cut off and blighted forever” as two separate concrete viaducts will have to be constructed for HS2 and NPR. [1] Whilst the length of the proposed HS2 viaduct is approximately only a mile in length,...

Will HS2 have onboard Catering ?

The East Coast Experience Talk and politics surrounding HS2 has very much been about the chosen route, the destinations it serves and those protesting its construction, very little has been about what these trains will be like for the end user. Will they have level boarding to make it easier for everyone when boarding or...

Does Bradford want an underground train station ?

With the news that Bradford is to finally get a new station as part of Northern Powerhouse Rail, if this is indeed a new line via Bradford as claimed by Transport for the North, does Bradford really want an underground station ? Out of the three options presented by Transport for the North to the...