There’s been plenty of discussion from Central Government about the need to rebalance our national economy to “take the heat” off London and the South East. Following the documentary by Evan Davis making the case for Hebdon Bridge to be Britain’s second city, there seems to be a flurry of politicians lining up to talk about the ‘Great Northern Hub’. You can tick George Osbourne, David Cameron, Ed Miliband and now Nick Clegg. Whether this is pre-election rhetoric it remains to be seen. At very least it is positive that those in power are talking about it. With HS2 looking increasingly like it’ll be officially rubber stamped, it’s well past time to start planning for it.
HS2 among other transport upgrades, is seen as central to delivering the connectivity between the north to facilitate and strengthen the regional economies. The Deputy PM and Sheffield Hallam MP has once again opened up the opportunity that a City Centre station could still go ahead (see Sheffield Star). Whilst other cities have identified and begin to plan for new stations or adapting existing ones (e.g. New Lane in Leeds or Manchester Piccadilly). Sheffield however continues to deliberate.
Indecision continues between Sheffield City Council and it’s colleagues in the wider Sheffield City Region about where to site the new HS2 station should be sited. A Meadowhall location would seemingly share out the economic benefits regionally and is already a well established transport and retail hub. Whilst refurbishing and rebuilding at the old Sheffield Victoria station would bring a tremendous boost to the city itself as well as being close to the cultural attractions, offices and population in and around the City Centre.
The Meadowhall site is an interesting concept although there are some significant environmental concerns about the area. It suffers from some of the poorest quality air in the UK around the Tinsley Viaduct, congestion is already a huge issue and the area is in the Don Valley floodplain. The Sheffield City Region, Sheffield Council and to a lesser extend Rotherham MBC (on the other side of the M1) need to build a credible master-plan for the area and how it links with both economic centres. The concern is that it fails to serve either and travel times and rail capacity into Sheffield and Rotherham remain almost static. Of course, much can and will change in time before we finally see HS2 in South Yorkshire. Both provide excellent economic arguments but it is time for decision to allow the region to really start planning for its arrival.
The final route for HS2 is set to be firmed up by the end of the year. There needs to be a united approach from the Sheffield City Region to decide where the station is to be built and where will bring most benefit. Personally, I’m happy to see Clegg declare the door is still open for Sheffield Victoria – primarily as I believe major city centres is where the connectivity needs and should to be. A retail shopping centre aside, it lacks social infrastructure that would really bring people and businesses into Sheffield. Victoria also opens up the opportunity for much improved regional transport and vastly improved links to Liverpool and Manchester, which are particularly poorly served from Sheffield. It is close to both the regions main Universities, to cultural offerings from theatre to music to architecture to regional events, to centrally based businesses and (if it ever actually goes ahead) a much stronger new retail quarter.
Only such connectivity can create this ‘northern hub’ had our politicians seem to be dreaming of. I can’t see how a Meadowhall location can compete in that instance. Perhaps Nick Clegg should be lobbying the issue a little stronger for his constituents and the city.
For those interested – the Sheffield Victoria business case by Volterra can be found here – and likewise the Meadowhall HS2 information is here.
underonesky 