21 January 2021 · HS2 – An Overview

Presenter: Paul Seller – Interim PMO Director, HS2

Paul was originally scheduled to talk to the branch in October 2019 but was taken ill at the very last minute so we were particularly pleased to welcome him, together with his two colleagues Ben Rule (Infrastructure Management Director) and Matt Rigley (Commercial Operations Director) who would be taking on specific parts of the presentation. The record attendance at this virtual meeting shows that the subject was clearly of interest and that efforts to advertise more widely than usual were certainly worthwhile.

The presentation started with the introductions of our speakers each one of whom has a very interesting background from various Consultancy roles to the Olympic Delivery Authority; from senior Railway Executive to Inspector with the RAIB (Rail Accident Investigation Branch) – a particularly interesting background for someone who will lead the team operating and managing HS2 infrastructure once construction has been completed; from Graduate Trainee with London Underground to Management Consultant to Commercial Analysis. Paul covered the project objectives and an overview taking in why Britain needs HS2, going into more detail on the capacity issues on the railway (temporarily disregarding the pandemic), economic benefits, the environmental agenda (reducing carbon emissions) and improved connectivity within the UK. He covered the three Cs – capacity, carbon and connectivity.

As well as making a sound business case and ensuring regularly updated and tight financial controls, it might be surprising to some just how much research has gone into all aspects of the project from working with stakeholders and neighbours, to working out the optimum designs for stations and trains to allow easy and quick boarding and alighting for example. Passenger behaviours and requirements will change into the future so flexibility has to be built in to allow for this. Capital costs, operational costs and whole life costs were covered as was having respect for those who have concerns about the project. With this last in mind, all staff are expected to take a turn on the helplines so that they are fully aware of the issues, engaging with the local communities and individuals affected. The project is already providing jobs and skills training, creation of a green corridor and being a good neighbour as they are aware that the project will take several years before it is fully completed and that there will be disruption for some years before HS2 is fully operational. There has been environmental disruption but the aim is to provide 30% more wildlife habitat once the project has been completed than was there originally. Individually named tunnel boring machines are being used where the line goes underground to protect areas of special interest on the surface, and a vast archaeological investigation programme has already generated significant new knowledge both at the London end of the construction and with regards to the original Curzon Street Roundhouse in Birmingham. While most of the details covered Phase 1 which is already under construction, there was also quite a lot of information about Phases 2a and 2b plus a little about the possibilities with regards to future and onward connections once Phases 1, 2a and 2b have been completed.

Then it was time for Matt to talk about commercial operations in more detail, and Ben to talk about operations planning and infrastructure management. They covered what HS2 will be like when it is fully up and running, such as timetabling and the huge operational challenge this will present, managing 18 trains an hour at high speed with the necessity of ensuring that people board and alight quickly whilst maintaining safety. Much of the train operation will be automated but there will always be a driver in the cab to oversee. The service has to be exceptionally reliable as there is little leeway for less than full efficiency, and it has to be noted that connections with the conventional railway have to be made as smooth as possible too.

There was informal discussion and questions during the break before the evening continued with more on the increased use of modern technology both for running the service and for the benefit of passengers so that the best and most useful information is available as well as explaining how all this is going to work in practice. Managing both trains and infrastructure will come under one integrated system covering maintenance, trackwork, and managing the train operators, using technology to anticipate and fix problems before any part of the system fails.

A lot of interesting details were provided and questions and answers were wide-ranging covering everything from seating design, finance, seat reservations, future plans to extend, and why is the London terminus not at St Pancras. Questions and answers continued with how much of HS2 will be in tunnels, where will the rolling stock be built and are there any plans for allowing freight onto the lines.

The vote of thanks was given by branch chair Tom Kolisch who expressed the appreciation of all those present and invited them to return with an update in 2 to 3 years’ time.