Concerns Raised Over Length of HS2 Trains in £2bn Deal

A former non-executive director of the Department for Transport Operator (DfTO) has questioned whether the trains ordered for HS2 are the right size for the wider rail network.

Speaking at a meeting of the All Party Parliamentary Rail Group, Chris Gibb outlined his view that HS2 Ltd should reconsider its £2bn agreement with Hitachi-Alstom. He suggested that changes could allow the trains to operate more effectively beyond the high-speed line, particularly on existing routes.

HS2 ordered 54 trains in 2021, each made up of eight coaches and measuring around 200 metres in length. These units can be coupled together to form 16-coach trains, reaching 400 metres—matching the length of platforms being constructed for the core London to Birmingham section.

While this configuration works well for the main HS2 route, Gibb argued it may not suit other parts of the network. Some stations outside the high-speed line have shorter platforms, which could limit the use of longer, coupled trains. He also noted that current intercity services on routes such as Manchester and Glasgow to London often use 11-coach Pendolino trains, offering higher capacity than a single HS2 unit.

Gibb expressed concern that replacing existing longer trains with shorter ones could lead to overcrowding, particularly given projected growth in passenger numbers. He pointed out that demand on the West Coast Main Line has historically increased significantly and is expected to continue rising.

To address this, he proposed modifying the contract to include fewer but longer trains, potentially with 10 coaches. This, he suggested, could bring capacity closer to that of current services. However, such a change would require adjustments to infrastructure, including depot facilities, and could impact train performance.

He also mentioned the possibility of splitting and joining trains during journeys, though acknowledged this approach may introduce delays and operational challenges.

Despite these suggestions, the Department for Transport confirmed that no changes have been made to the original rolling stock order. A spokesperson reiterated that HS2 is intended to deliver long-term improvements in capacity, connectivity, and reliability, adding that efforts are ongoing to bring the programme under control a