Two trains pass through Church Fenton, North Yorkshire where it is
   proposed the HS2 railway will link with the East Coast Mainline ( PA )

HS2: Alternative high-speed rail network 'could be £20bn cheaper and pay for
itself'

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   Britain’s high-speed rail network could be £20bn cheaper than billed
   and could pay for itself under radical plans being developed by a team
   of railway engineers, it is claimed.

   Twenty one cities, and airports, including Heathrow, would be directly
   connected under the High Speed UK alternative, which it is claimed
   would benefit more people and be greener than the Government’s existing
   £55bn HS2 plans.

   Proponents say the network could be built at no cost to taxpayers, by
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Read more

     * Read more HS2 company 'misled residents whose houses lie on
       proposed route'

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   Colin Elliff, the engineering mastermind behind the plans, says: “It is
   not too late for the Government to replace HS2 with something cheaper,
   better connected and quicker to implement.”

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   The HSUK proposal

   This north-south spine would be linked directly to a high-speed
   east-west route connecting Sheffield and Leeds to Manchester and
   Liverpool along the route of former Victorian tunnels beneath the
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Read more

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     * Significantly more woodland at risk of destruction by HS2 rail line
     * Experts surprised at HS2's use of public-sector staff

   The plans would also offer direct services to existing stations in
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   circular link described as the “Midlands Ring”.

   While the top line-speed would be 25mph slower than HS2’s goal of
   248mph, it is claimed that more journeys would be faster overall and
   that more places could be reached. The engineers say there would be no
   need to tunnel out of London, or under the Chilterns, and that their
   high-speed trains would run to Edinburgh and Glasgow. There would also
   be a direct link to Heathrow.

   The scheme has the backing of campaign group re:think HS2. Other
   supporters include Greg Mulholland, the Liberal Democrat MP for Leeds
   North West.
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   But the Government is pressing ahead – announcing last week that its
   line will be built as far as Crewe by 2027. The Department for
   Transport said: “The case for HS2 is crystal clear. It is crucial we
   press ahead on time and budget, and we remain on track to start
   construction in 2017.”
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Created with Sketch. HS2 alternative 'could be £20bn cheaper and pay for itself'

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   Two trains pass through Church Fenton, North Yorkshire where it is
   proposed the HS2 railway will link with the East Coast Mainline
   PA