Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander has set out her ambitions for HS2 to match the success of Japan’s iconic Shinkansen network or ‘bullet trains’, following a visit to Japan where she travelled the high-speed line from Tokyo to Osaka.
The trip follows the Government’s announcement earlier this year that HS2 will match the Shinkansen’s top speed of 320km/h (200mph) – a move that could save up to £2.5 billion and cut at least a year from the project’s delivery timeline, bringing benefits to passengers and communities sooner.
During her visit, the Transport Secretary met her ministerial counterpart Yasushi Kaneko and toured Hitachi’s Tokyo headquarters. Hitachi’s factory in Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, employs around 600 people in the North East of England.
Discussions focused on high-speed rail and infrastructure development, and in particular how Japan’s railway stations have become engines of economic growth, supporting thousands of businesses and homes. Those lessons will help inform plans for the new Euston station, which is set to be delivered through private investment by the newly established Euston Delivery Company. Camden Council predicts the development could unlock at least 2,000 new homes, support 34,000 new jobs, and contribute £41 billion to the national economy.
The visit also covered Japan’s experience managing multiple large-scale rail projects simultaneously – valuable insight as the UK presses ahead with its own ambitious infrastructure programmes including Northern Powerhouse Rail as well as HS2.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said: “It’s easy to see why Japan’s iconic bullet trains are so loved and I want Britain to match them.
“Running at bullet train speeds is just the start – our reset of HS2 is ending years of waste and mismanagement, taking control of costs and delivery, and making sure the railway delivers real benefits for passengers, communities, and the economy.
“By aligning the UK’s own dedicated high-speed line with the Shinkansen, we could save up to £2.5 billion and cut at least a year from the delivery timeline, meaning passengers and communities benefit sooner.”
Image credit: DfT
