Road, Rail & Access

[Kevin Farnell]

Hs2 should be built in full and no cutting corners.

I agree completely. Many people praise the French and Japanese rail services, but as soon as a similar system is proposed for England they don't like it.
This country is more than just London and the South East. A good transport infrastructure will help re-balance the economy across the country (maybe that's what the people in the South East are afraid of). And the development should not stop with HS2/HS3 but also go South and West to include cities like Bristol Exeter, Southampton etc. Then onwards to Scotland and if Boris' tunnel to Northern Ireland is ever built we could add Belfast.

Kevin

 

[JENNYJET]

The Southerners don't like it as their relative wealth could be diluted and if Leeds link is completed, Yorkshire might seek independence.

No, build the thing and be damned!

 

[TheLocalYokel]

IAnd the development should not stop with HS2/HS3 but also go South and West to include cities like Bristol Exeter, Southampton etc. Then onwards to Scotland and if Boris' tunnel to Northern Ireland is ever built we could add Belfast.

Kevin

Bristol and Bath and the huge South West region (in area terms) would be happy with 'ordinary' electric trains. We have to rely on diesel traction here with no promise of electrification whatsoever in the coming years. All this from a government that wants to ban new diesel cars within a decade. The planned electrification to Bristol via Bath on Brunel's original main line was axed by the previous Conservative government in order to save what would be no more than petty cash in the HS2 budget.

HS3, 4 or 5 to the South West is less likely than Bristol City winning the European Cup.

 

[BHXsupporter]

That would be supported by my Bristol Rovers-supporting cousin.

 

[nbdm]

I agree completely. Many people praise the French and Japanese rail services, but as soon as a similar system is proposed for England they don't like it.
This country is more than just London and the South East. A good transport infrastructure will help re-balance the economy across the country (maybe that's what the people in the South East are afraid of). And the development should not stop with HS2/HS3 but also go South and West to include cities like Bristol Exeter, Southampton etc. Then onwards to Scotland and if Boris' tunnel to Northern Ireland is ever built we could add Belfast.

Kevin

Agreed. It is also a real shame there isn't a plan to form a full X axis reaching the south west with HS2/et al.

And arguably the eastern leg of HS2 would bring more benefit to passengers (putting aside the capacity benefits to WCML for a moment) than the phase to Crewe/Manchester because the latter route is already a 125mph electrified route while the XC route to Leeds trundles along unelectrified reaching 125mph if lucky for brief periods, not to mention the poor frequency.

 

[BHXsupporter]

See 3:

HSRG’s response to the Union Connectivity Review – High-Speed Rail Group

 

[HPsauce]

HS2 will be another problem for BHX when that is operational. With it's direct links to LHR. It will siphon away potential passengers, particularly business personal, but few taking the trip north to BHX. £150 billion the latest estimate, and still rising!.

 

[Kevin Farnell]

HS2 will be another problem for BHX when that is operational. With it's direct links to LHR. It will siphon away potential passengers

HS2 isn't going to LHR. The nearest station to LHR will be Old Oak Common which is 12.4 miles away by road (Google Maps).

Kevin

 

[Coathanger16]

The nearest station to LHR will be Old Oak Common which is 12.4 miles away by road (Google Maps).

Will interchange with Crossrail with an onwards journey time to Heathrow of 15 minutes.

Via HS2 and Crossrail, central Birmingham will be about an hour from Heathrow by rail, whereas the Interchange station will be about 50 minutes.

 

[jfy1999]

HS2 will be another problem for BHX when that is operational. With it's direct links to LHR. It will siphon away potential passengers, particularly business personal, but few taking the trip north to BHX. £150 billion the latest estimate, and still rising!.

I find it interesting that you say that because the topic of catchment areas came up in the recent discussion. BHX could potentially not only have London in its catchment area (and be more accessible than Gatwick and Stansted for some), but Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds, and potentially other points north would be brought into the BHX catchment area if HS2 is built in full, and in addition, East Midlands and Sheffield (to which rail services from Birmingham International are currently non existent).

I think the benefits to BHX from having new and more frequent local train services will outweigh any drainage from HS2 to other airports.

Midlands Connect |

www.midlandsconnect.uk

 

[HPsauce]

Birmingham International Station is not connected to HS2. There will be an Interchange Station built south of the A45 to link to BHX. There is also increasing talk of the North Eastern leg being delayed further, or even cancelled eventually. A Parliamentary debate is due on 13th September which has been forced through by increasing numbers of MP's and petitions casting doubts on HS2's integrity and honesty in previous dealings with Parliament over costing etc. As for the Midlands Connect project, anything Andy Street dreams up has to be taken with a pinch of salt in my experience.

 

[jfy1999]

Birmingham International Station is not connected to HS2. There will be an Interchange Station built south of the A45 to link to BHX. There is also increasing talk of the North Eastern leg being delayed further, or even cancelled eventually. A Parliamentary debate is due on 13th September which has been forced through by increasing numbers of MP's and petitions casting doubts on HS2's integrity and honesty in previous dealings with Parliament over costing etc. As for the Midlands Connect project, anything Andy Street dreams up has to be taken with a pinch of salt in my experience.

Sorry if this comes across as blunt but I have to question what your sources are, as they seem highly questionable to say the least

- HS2 people mover from Interchange to BHX will have a stop at Birmingham International station
- Midlands Connect isn’t Andy Street’s project, it is part of the Midlands Engine, a government project in collaboration with multiple district councils
- if HS2 had misled parliament on costs, surely the National Audit office would be screaming blue murder? They already examined the “whistleblower” claims on HS2 here: https://www.nao.org.uk/wp-content/u...acquisition-for-the-Phase-One-Full-report.pdf

 

[theoneegis]

Good morning,
We are flying out from BHX at the end of this month and would like to get there on a motorcycle (as we usually do when travelling light from Bristol).
Unfortunatelly, the information on motorcycle parking is unclear - the website states that spaces are available at Car Park 2 on a first come, first served basis. It is unclear if the tarriff is different (or free - as most other airports), too.
Would anyone have any info regarding this?
I have contacted NCP and BHX but heard nothing back from them.
Many thanks

 

[Poshgirl]

On other websites (not NCP or BHX) it says parking is free in the designated area. You will be charged if you take up a car space.

Have you contacted BHX via Twitter? They seem to answer those quicker than any customer service on their own site.

 

[theoneegis]

I'll try Twitter now. Thanks!

 

[DarloPlaneBoy]

Technically The British Grand Prix is hosted at Silverstone Circuit in Northampton but I would imagine Brum is closer to Silverstone than LHR I'm sure I passed a sign for Silverstone just after the M6 ends and the M1 starts as I was on a coach heading to LHR or did I see it of the A14 I think it is heading towards Great Yarmouth before either the A11/A14 and A47

 

[Scottie Dog]

Off topic, but Silverstone is west of the M1 near(ish) to Milton Keynes.

 

[rollo]

Off topic, but Silverstone is west of the M1 near(ish) to Milton Keynes.

BHX to Silverstone according to Google maps is 55min via M6/M1 or 61min via the M40 so well placed, BHX is possibly the best connected UK airport to the nationinal motorway network with direct access at the airport via the M42 which quickly connects to the M1,M5,M6 and the M40 Also the airport connects via monorail to Birmingham International station plus the NEC and will have a new monorail connection to the HS2 interchange if the thing ever gets built.

Trying to bring in a bit of aviation content we really should be a bigger airport ☺

 

[Ray Finkle]

One issue with BHX is that the M6 and M42 are just horrendous.

I remember a few years ago whilst at Cosford I overheard two couples talking about holidays and how they flew business class on Emirates. One of the ladies said that they tried BHX but even though it's closer to their home near Shrewsbury they found MAN easier as it avoided the M6 through Birmingham and that awful M5 interchange. I guess their only other option would have been using the M6 Toll, I almost asked why not but didn't

We could really do with a western orbital motorway (with minimal junctions) built from the M42 J4A crossing the M54 before joining the M6 north of Wolverhampton. This would allow north/south traffic using the M6 and M40 to avoid that M42 section between J3A and 7A and the section of M6 through Birmingham. Of course that is total fantasy and never going to happen.

 

[DarloPlaneBoy]

BHX to Silverstone according to Google maps is 55min via M6/M1 or 61min via the M40 so well placed, BHX is possibly the best connected UK airport to the nationinal motorway network with direct access at the airport via the M42 which quickly connects to the M1,M5,M6 and the M40 Also the airport connects via monorail to Birmingham International station plus the NEC and will have a new monorail connection to the HS2 interchange if the thing ever gets built.

Trying to bring in a bit of aviation content we really should be a bigger airport ☺

Yes and where the 2nd Mound is they are doing something to connect the M42 to the A45 Trains we are well connected and Buses Outside London Birmingham and the Black Country has a decent network. Major A roads near to the Airport M40, M42, M6, M5, A45, A41 trains most Cross-country, LNWR and Avanti services plus TFW trains.

One issue with BHX is that the M6 and M42 are just horrendous.

I remember a few years ago whilst at Cosford I overheard two couples talking about holidays and how they flew business class on Emirates. One of the ladies said that they tried BHX but even though it's closer to their home near Shrewsbury they found MAN easier as it avoided the M6 through Birmingham and that awful M5 interchange. I guess their only other option would have been using the M6 Toll, I almost asked why not but didn't

We could really do with a western orbital motorway (with minimal junctions) built from the M42 J4A crossing the M54 before joining the M6 north of Wolverhampton. This would allow north/south traffic using the M6 and M40 to avoid that M42 section between J3A and 7A and the section of M6 through Birmingham. Of course that is total fantasy and never going to happen.

Problem with our motorways is roadworks M42 is having long term M6 is now reduced speed between J6 and J8 due to Brum emissions zone I think it is 60MPH constant work with Sprint and HS2 making the A45 and other roads closed. From Shrewsbury M54 Is fine the major problem is the M54 joins the M6 at J10A and J10 is still having Road works. On West Brom matchdays The M6 J8 for the M5 J1 would be rammed as the M5 joins to a narrow island and the A41 passing the Albion ground the M6 being reduced from 8 to 6 plus J10 is causing J9 to be busier but the reduce by 10MPH causes Breaklights and everyone to slow. On its day Incident and roadwork free the Motorways and A road network is plain sailing and excellent but because of how well connected we are all it takes is one incident on a Motorway so M42 and that backs up the A45, A41 and M5 anything on the M5 blocks up the M6, A41, A34 and A38 and anything on the M6 blocks the M5, A41, A45, A34, A38 and most major local A Roads. Prime example the M6 at J10 was closed most of the day of a morning we heading to college it seemed fine via the A4038 and A41 joining the A41 at Moxley from Moxley the A41 goes up to the M5 J1 and the A4444 and A462 and A454 to M6 J10. Coming back slightly busy but a lot of traffic was queuing on the A4038 into Darlaston because I assume the traffic comes of the Moxley Island and them resumes down the A462 twoards J9 or heads twoards Walsall.