Commuters will snub HS2 due to poor connectivity, MP claims
HS2's "lack of connectivity" will end up dissuading most people from using the line, an MP has claimed.
Michael Fabricant described HS2 as "an unstoppable and expensive behemoth" that would be so poorly connected once completed that many people would reject travelling on its trains.
The budget-busting line – which is expected to cost well over £100 billion – is set to carve through 45 miles of Staffordshire countryside on its way from London to the North West.
It was originally due to connect to the Channel Tunnel rail link, Heathrow Airport, and the main rail interchange at Birmingham New Street station, but saw the plans change.
Lichfield MP Mr Fabricant said his main objection to HS2 was its "lack of connectivity".
He said: "The original concept of passengers joining the train at Manchester city centre arriving swiftly at the Gare du Nord in the heart of Paris – quicker than taking any flight – is not now the case.
"Far from dissuading travellers from using polluting air travel, changes of station at London will dissuade most from taking the train.
"And it’s worse at Birmingham. Instead of HS2 arriving at Birmingham New Street, the main rail interchange station, it arrives at a separate station needing yet another trek to catch a connecting train."
Mr Fabricant said that "yet another station change" was required at Old Oak Common station to reach Heathrow, dashing hopes of getting to the nation's main airport directly from Birmingham International Airport.
Mr Fabricant, a long time opponent of HS2 who has voted against it each time it has gone before Parliament, also questioned whether the commute to London from the Midlands and the North would still be needed "now that Covid has taught us all to video conference".
He said: "I suspect HS2 is an unstoppable and expensive behemoth. But in years to come, people will exclaim – what a way to build a railway!"
