Quote:
Originally Posted by swisstrains
In other parts of the World, whenever a line meets it's maximum capacity, it's quite common to go underground and I think this is what should be considered for Liverpool. Although this would allow the High Speed 2 branch to run right into the city centre I don't really think that it's absolutely necessary and considerable savings could be made if a new International station and network interchange was built on railway land at Edge Hill.
Should High Speed 2 ever be built I assume it would follow roughly the route of the M6 motorway. If so the Liverpool branch could utilise the trackbed of the old Warrington Bank Quay Low Level - Stockport line from Lymm (near to the M6) into Warrington and then proceed along the Warrington - Ditton Junction line (suitably upgraded). At Ditton Junction it would either join the existing mainline from Runcorn to Liverpool or go underground as suggested above. The Warrington - Ditton Junction line is grossly underused at present with most activity being concentrated on the section between Warrington and Fiddlers Ferry Power Station but by the time HS2 comes along it could well be closed. Should freight traffic still need to be catered for it shouldn't be too difficult to construct a new single track dedicated freight line along the bed of the disused St.Helens Canal which runs parallel to the route for much of it's length. Just an idea  |
Interesting, although Edge Hill feels more on the periphery of the city centre, not at the heart of it, but the vacant land would certainly be useful. I imagine in Manchester, Piccadilly would be adapted to accommodate HS2, where if we had a International facility in Liverpool at Edge Hill, it just emphasises Liverpool's inability to cope with such an expansion - especially on the existing network.
Mind you I think Liverpool's exisiting services need enhancement and expansion at the moment - especially when you compare with Manchester.