HS2 | DfT spent £52M developing Golborne link before scrapping it

The 21km Golborne link or “spur” was part of HS2 that split from the main line before Manchester Airport and connected to the West Coast Main Line, where trains could continue to Scotland. Its purpose was to cut journey times and increase train frequencies from London and Birmingham to Glasgow while freeing up capacity on the WCML so it could carry more freight.

Despite warnings from rail industry leaders and engineers alike that it was a vital part of the country’s high-speed rail network, the Golborne link was officially removed from HS2’s plans upon the second Parliamentary reading of the Phase 2a hybrid bill in June.

The DfT said that the reason for axing it was due to comments made by Sir Peter Hendy in his Union Connectivity Review about finding a better way to connect HS2 trains to Scotland. However, it also came after great pressure from local MPs, led by 1922 Committee chairman Sir Graham Brady, who were upset about the disruption it would have caused in their constituencies.

The DfT said it would be looking into other means to get HS2 trains to Scotland, while staying within the £96bn sum outlined in the Integrated Rail Plan.

A new Freedom of Information request by Scottish broadcaster STV has revealed that the DfT spent £52M of taxpayer money on feasibility and development work for the abandoned link.

However, the DfT disputes claims that this money has been wasted. A DfT spokesperson said: “These claims are false and misrepresent the issue at hand – in fact, Scotland will benefit from HS2 with services between Glasgow and London, underlining our commitment to building stronger transport connections across the UK.

“Removing the Golborne link enables us to explore alternative options to ensure Scotland gets the right solution when it comes to HS2, while delivering for the taxpayer within the £96bn Integrated Rail Plan.”

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