A new report has recommended altering the route and station proposals for the HS2 in South Yorkshire, in a move which could reduce the cost of the project by around £1 billion.

HS2 Chairman David Higgins has proposed a new option, which would result in services between London and Sheffield taking a spur off the new north-south high speed line and travel directly to the existing Sheffield Midland station using the existing railway line.

The trains could potentially call at Chesterfield, while future options have been suggested for HS2 services extending onwards to the existing Meadowhall station, Rotherham, or Barnsley

As well as cutting the projects costs, it is estimated the newly proposed route would cut journey times on services heading to Leeds, York and Newcastle.


The possibility of a parkway station on the new route is also being explored.

HS2 Chairman David Higgins said: "Projects of HS2's size, scale and significance should seek to provide the maximum benefit for the people they serve.

"I have listened to the very constructive comments and discussions that have taken place on how HS2 should best serve South Yorkshire and recommend the option of HS2 services using the existing city centre station.

"Decisions of this scale sometimes involve compromise, and through dialogue I believe we have reached the best solution for South Yorkshire."

Welcoming the alternate plans, Chair of the Sheffield City Region LEP Sir Nigel Knowles said: "I am delighted that we have had the time to work constructively to ensure the city region could be best served by Britain's new high speed rail network, which we expect to include trains calling at Chesterfield in the south of the city region, a parkway station as well as the line into the centre of Sheffield."

The Transport Secretary will now consider Mr Higgins' report before making an announcement on the full HS2 Phase 2 route later this year.

To view the report, visit here

(LM/CD)