Could HS2 make travel worse in Warrington?

The HS2 rail development takes another turn this week as some northern towns, both sides of the Pennines, are starting to get cold feet. Over in Yorkshire Wakefield will have no station under the development, but all the hassle of the track passing close-by.

Warrington, whose current rail connections are fair, could find that by not being served with the new development, finds its own lines and services downgraded.

The build of HS2 is one thing, the use is another. In terms of the build the strong civil engineering skills of Warrington companies will play a significant part in the development, boosting the local economy.

However once the build is finished a downgraded local service could be an outcome.

The scale of HS2 makes it a political battleground, with opposing parties battling for advantage over the contentious project.

So should Warrington move to oppose HS2 and lobby for an upgrade to existing services?

It would be cheaper, it would be quicker to build and it would directly benefit the town in use rather than indirectly through the network. It’s a tough call, but just like the track, a long way to go yet.

Professor Lawrence Bellamy is Associate Dean at the Warrington School of Management, University of Chester Warrington (Padgate) Campus.

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