Lancaster Railway Station needs upgrade to be 'HS2 ready', local politicians warn

Lancaster City Council said it welcomed the granting of Royal Assent for Phase 2a of High Speed Two (HS2).

But it said its support is strongly caveated on the proviso that the government can give assurances that there will remain fast, direct (no change) London to Lancaster services through all of the different phases of the HS2 Programme.

Coun Dr Erica Lewis, leader of Lancaster City Council, has now urged government ministers to provide this reassurance and make good on their promise of levelling up the regions.

She said: “We have the potential to improve rail capacity and deliver mass travel with lower carbon emissions than passenger cars and domestic air travel.

“However, the delivery of faster trains that require a change at Preston, as opposed to current direct London services, would not be interpreted as beneficial by many passengers within our district.

“The loss of direct London services would only serve to damage our local economy, thus harming the Government’s vision of a rebalanced United Kingdom and a thriving northern powerhouse.

“It is essential for our communities that Lancaster serves as a primary stopping station for HS2 trains so our businesses, organisations, and residents can reap the social and economic advantages that the programme claims to bring.”

Lancashire Labour group's alternative budget proposals for Lancashire County Council included £500,000 in "pump prime" funding to help upgrade Lancaster station ready for HS2.

The Conservative led Lancashire County Council has already set its budget for 2021, which includes an extra £17m for roads, flood defences and walking and cycling schemes.As it stands, Lancaster Railway Station isn’t able to accept HS2 trains, and needs an upgrade to its infrastructure.

If the station is not upgraded, the Labour group said, then HS2 services won’t stop in Lancaster, with services to London reduced and needing a change at Preston.

Coun Lizzi Collinge, Labour’s Shadow Cabinet Member for Climate Change, said: “As HS2 construction and planning continues, we need to ensure that Lancaster and Morecambe aren’t left behind.

"Only by making the station HS2-ready can we keep our direct connections to London and remain a key point on journeys to Scotland.

"This is especially important given the plans for Eden Project North and the drive to ensure visitors to our district use sustainable transport."

Network Rail is currently refurbishing the footbridge at Lancaster Railway Station as part of its Great North Rail Project.The upgrade will be delivered in stages from January 9 until the end of August 2021.