HS2 & Transport For The North (TFN)
WEC Rail has become renowned for its innovative design ideas, and employs an in-house design team committed to staying at the forefront of the rail industry.
There are a number of pioneering and exciting upcoming projects across the whole of the UK and here at WEC, we are aspiring to be a part of those construction processes. We aim to play a vital role in the manufacturing process for each project.
The main benefits of building on and transforming the railway in the North is to help connecting people, connecting businesses and moving goods, both across the country as well as linking our Northern cites up with the Midlands and the South. Promoting, growing and supporting these projects could have significant improvements to not only companies in the North but also communities and people's lives.
HS2
HS2 is a new high speed railway being proposed by the UK Government. The Railway is planned to link up London to the Midlands and onto the North and up to Scotland.Phase 1 of HS2 which is based between London to Birmingham is currently under construction, with Phase 2 being spilt between the West Midlands to Crewe. The first part of Phase 2 will run from Crewe, there services will join the existing rail network to Manchester, Liverpool, Preston, Carlisle and Glasgow.
Subject to consultation, the second part of Phase 2 will run from Birmingham and the East Midlands, connecting to the existing Midland Mainline near East Midlands Parkway. Trains will then continue to central Nottingham, Derby and Sheffield on an upgraded and electrified Midland Main Line. The government will also look at the most effective way to run HS2 trains to Leeds.
The Government is forming an integrated rail plan for the North of England and WEC Group are planning to be a part of the manufacturing and fabrication process. Our experienced workforce and expertise in knowledge and design. We intend to bid for multiple contracts in the hopes of putting the WEC stamp on HS2 in the North of England.
The potential of HS2 will be greatly significant. Creating more capacity, building HS2 will give more space on the existing railway, by placing long distance services on their own rail line. HS2 will create more space on the existing railway for rail freight services. By moving direct inter-city services onto high-speed rail lines, this creates more space on the existing railway. Rail freight produces 76 per cent less carbon dioxide emissions that the equivalent road journey. Making rail freight play a key role in the low carbon economy. With more freight trains on our high-speed railways, this will remove many lorries from our highways. Resulting in less traffic and making our motorways safer for everyone, improving air quality and helping reduce carbon emissions.
A major benefit of HS2 is that the new high-speed line with help to put Britain on track to a net zero carbon future. As one of the most sustainable high speed railways in the world, HS2 will minimize carbon emissions. HS2 stations will be energy efficient and low carbon in operation, making them amongst the most sustainable train stations in the world. This will be achieved by reducing the energy demand by optimising natural daylight and ventilation, installing building management systems which monitor and control heating, ventilation and lighting. Installing solar panels and LED lighting, as well as integrating with local energy centres or district heating networks.
Thousands of opportunities are being created throughout the supply chain. With HS2 planning to buy Railway Systems and Rolling Stock including; rail track, overhead catenary, telecommunications, traction power, signalling and mechanical and electrical systems.
HS2 is a major milestone for not only the UK but for Europe and here at WEC we aspire to be a part of that journey.
To find out more, you can visit the website for HS2.
Transport for the North
Transport for the North (TFN) works to submit strategic transport improvements across the whole of the North of England. Improvements which are needed to drive inclusive and sustainable travel, economic growth and help to rebalance the UK economy. TFN are doing this by evaluating poor transport infrastructure, that is restraining the North's economic potential, TFN are providing an evidence based case for each of the investments. By connecting the key economic areas in the North of England, TFN will drive growth, improve access to jobs and ensure the North is better connected to the wider regions.Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR) is a major strategic rail programme, specifically designed to support the transformation of the North of England. Providing effective and efficient rail connectivity, while also providing economic growth. The project with link up 6 large cities in the North of England, those cities are; Hull, Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester, Newcastle and Sheffield.
The potential of NPR offers opportunity to a wider majority of people, as more cities and towns become interlined, more people will be able to move around the country with ease. NPR's aim is support sustainable economic growth, while offering a faster and more reliable service across the entire region.
The primary objective for the NPR is to boost economic growth and close the north-south gap in productivity. Currently the North is less productive than the rest of England, poor connectivity is a key factor influencing productivity. With better connecting sectors of the North, we can help to rebalance the economy. NPR is set to increase productivity by up to 2 percent in better connected places.
The NPR will transform the way in which people travel across the North and further. Enabling them to access greater opportunities. The new railway will decrease the times of train journeys. New lines and significant improvements to existing lines would also free up capacity. The benefits to the environment will be welcomed, with the North supporting the achievement of the targets set out by the climate change act. The Climate Change Act, as amended in 2019, commits the UK to ‘net zero’ by 2050. The original act, passed in 2008, committed the UK to an 80% reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, compared to 1990 levels. In 2019, the Climate Change Act 2008 (2050 Target Amendment) Order 2019 was passed which increased the UK’s commitment to a 100% reduction in emissions by 2050.
HS2 delivered to its full extent alongside NPR, offers a great opportunity to bring real change to the North of England. They are being designed to complement one another and the aim is to have trains running between the two networks and onto a wider railway system. TFN is hugely supportive of HS2 as an infrastructure project and its potential to create the necessary capacity that will help economic growth and prosperity. The possibility to rebalance the British economy and strive for better opportunities is an exciting new venture.
To find out more, you can visit the website for Transport for the North.