Birmingham’s high-speed rail station must connect to Europe if the West Midlands is going to make the most of HS2, says transport authority Centro.
Centro members continued to call for HS2 to ensure that Britain’s £42.6 billion network includes a direct link between Euston, St Pancras and Europe’s wider high-speed network during an Integrated Transport Authority meeting last week.
Transport leaders see HS2 as an opportunity to strengthen Birmingham’s position in Europe, both in terms of business and tourism.
The arrival of HS2 in the West Midlands will also coincide with the transformation of Birmingham’s run-down Eastside – the suggested location of a future high-speed rail station.
As well as new housing and leisure facilities, the regeneration project could include an extension of the city’s tram network and a possible rapid transport link to Coventry.
Centro chairman Councillor John McNicholas said: “It’s essential the West Midlands is linked to Europe by high speed rail. High speed rail does not terminate in London and we will be working closely with Transport for London.
“There must be a direct link between HS2 and the existing HS1 line from London to Europe, allowing passengers in the West Midlands fast, direct rail travel to the continent.”
You can not have a gateway until people can easily reach the gate. It is not sensible to expect people arriving at New Street by train with their luggage to go through an exit barrier at New Street, walk for 10 minutes to Curzon Street to connect with the international services. Either bring the international trains into New Street so people can connect there or build new platforms opposite the Curzon Street station so that all trains that now use New Street have an easy interchange from platform to platform. High speed rail is 5-star service not 2 star, so customers’ convenience should come first.