HS2 Speed Cut Plans Branded “Very Unwise” by Rail Union

A warning has been issued by rail union Transport Salaried Staffs' Association over suggestions that trains on High Speed 2 could initially operate at reduced speeds.

The comments follow reports that Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander is considering cost-saving measures on the delayed and scaled-back line between London and Birmingham. Among the options being explored is the possibility of running services below full design speeds until additional testing of trains has been completed.

The proposal comes amid ongoing scrutiny of the project’s timeline and budget, with ministers facing pressure to balance delivery against escalating costs.

The Transport Salaried Staffs' Association, which represents staff directly employed on the scheme, has criticised the idea, warning it risks undermining the purpose of a high-speed railway.

TSSA General Secretary Maryam Eslamdoust said:

“I’m afraid this is a very unwise idea. HS2 must be safe but instead of offering a choice between further delays or reduced speeds Ministers should be seeking solutions now so that HS2 is running at full speed on day one. Frankly anything else will leave Britain in the slow lane not just in comparison with other countries in Europe but also China. HS2 is vital because a vibrant growing economy in the 21st Century needs reliable high-speed rail links. If true, these proposals diminish our ability to grow local, regional and national economies, and therefore undermine what the government has long claimed as its top priority.”

The union argues that operating below intended speeds, even temporarily, could weaken the economic case for the line and reduce its competitiveness against international high-speed networks.

Image: TSSA