Documenti di Didattica
Documenti di Professioni
Documenti di Cultura
for HS2
The Y Network
and London –
West Midlands
February 2011
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List of Figures 4
List of Tables 4
1 Background 5
2 The Proposed High Speed Network – The Y 8
2.1 The wider context 8
2.2 Assessment of the Y network 10
3
7.5 Scheme opening year 53
7.6 Summary 54
List of Figures
Figure 1 Indicative map of the proposed Y shaped high speed rail network 9
Figure 2 Long distance trips by mode, Great Britain 14
Figure 3 Change in long distance daily trips after the introduction of
HS2 (London – West Midlands), in 2043 20
Figure 4 Forecast daily load factors on a long distance services after the
introduction of HS2 (London – West Midlands), in 2043 21
Figure 5 Proportion of passengers choosing to use Euston and Old Oak
Common by area 23
Figure 6 Effects on the BCR of HS2 opening later 54
Figure A1 Service specification for HS2 (London – West Midlands) 59
Figure A2 Service specification assumptions for the Y network 61
List of Tables
Table 1 Comparison of existing journey times to the Y network 10
Table 2 Quantified benefits and costs (£ billions) of the Y network
(2009 PV/prices) and the resulting BCR 12
Table 3 Source of trips, of passengers using HS2 (London – West Midlands) 19
Table 4 Benefits of HS2 (London – West Midlands) to transport users, by
business passengers and other passengers (£ million, 2009 PV) 31
Table 5 Monetised benefits to long distance passengers by origin of trip 32
Table 6 Monetised benefits of HS2 (London – West Midlands) using
Department for Transport’s transport appraisal and Wider Economic
Impacts guidance (2009 PV/prices) 35
Table 7 Capital cost estimates for HS2 (London – West Midlands) preferred
scheme excluding rolling stock; £ millions, Quarter 3 2009 prices 37
Table 8 Rolling stock capital cost estimates; £ millions, Quarter 3 2009 prices 40
Table 9 Operating costs for HS2 (London – West Midlands) over the 60 year
appraisal period, by category 41
Table 10 Quantified costs and benefits (£ billions) of HS2 (2009 PV/prices)
and resulting BCR 43
N.B. Table totals may not be an exact sum of components
due to rounding.
4
1. Background
1.1.1 This document is part of a set of documents of our assessment to changes in our
produced for the public consultation assumptions (for example around
on high speed rail and should be read economic growth forecasts).
in conjunction with the main consultation
document which covers the strategic case Defining ‘business case’ and
for high speed rail and the proposed line ‘economic case’
of route for HS2 between London and the 1.1.3 A business case is the overall consideration
West Midlands. Its purpose is to assist the of the factors influencing decisions on
reader in understanding the factors and whether to proceed with a scheme. These
assumptions that we took into account cover: the strategic fit with wider objectives,
in estimating the economic benefits and value for money (covering the economic
economic costs of high speed rail. case and environmental considerations),
commercial issues, financial affordability
1.1.2 This Economic Case document first and how the project might be delivered.
describes the proposed high speed rail Many of these factors cannot be quantified
network and the strategic level assessment in monetary terms and compared to each
of a Y shaped network from London other numerically. Our proposals for HS2
to the West Midlands, Manchester and take full account of this wider picture,
Leeds. It then describes a more detailed though some elements such as the
assessment of the line to the West financial case would be addressed in
Midlands (HS2). It sets out our forecast of more detail in the future if the proposals
the specific impact of HS2, which in turn are taken forwards following the public
drives the assessment of the economic consultation. This document focuses
benefits and wider impacts. We also set on the economic case.
out here our assessment of the costs.
We then explain our assessment of the 1.1.4 The economic appraisal of a transport
potential value for money of the London scheme seeks to cover the full economic
to West Midlands scheme in economic costs and full economic benefits of a
terms (other impacts such as landscape scheme and to quantify these in monetary
and noise are covered in the Appraisal of terms. We approached this on the basis
Sustainability which is published alongside of the HM Treasury Green Book and of
this document). This document also sets Department for Transport’s Transport
out how we have tested the sensitivity Appraisal Guidance.1,2 We assess the
5
1. Background
direct impacts that HS2 would have on the Department for Transport which is
transport users through, for instance, based on extensive research of trends
journey time savings and reductions in in transport demand. Our forecasts are
crowding on trains. We also measure the set out in Chapter 3; we believe these
impacts, both positive and negative, that forecasts to be prudent. Using these
HS2 would have on the classic rail forecasts we apply Government guidance
network. Finally, we look at some of the on the calculation and valuation of
wider economic impacts on the UK impacts to estimate the economic
economy, using Department for Transport case for HS2.
guidance to quantify and value these
impacts. The appraisal of quantified 1.1.7 There will always be uncertainty about
benefits provides a numerical result, a future consumer behaviour and
‘Benefit Cost Ratio’ or BCR. This ratio circumstances when predicting so far into
represents the level of benefit per pound the future. The level of demand and the
(£) spent by Government (e.g. if a scheme value we place on the benefits that HS2
generates £2 of benefit for every £1 spent would have can have significant impacts
this is presented as a BCR of 2.0). We on the overall case for the rail network.
explain this in more detail in Chapter 5. It is therefore good practice for economic
and transport assessments to include a
1.1.5 In order to compare costs and benefits thorough set of tests (sensitivity tests) to
occurring at different points in time, our explore the relationship between the
appraisal brings all future year values to assumptions and the outputs (in this case
a ‘Present Value’ (PV) in 2009. This is the BCR). The tests we have undertaken
done by adjusting future year values, for the proposed London to West Midlands
discounting them at 3.5% for 30 years scheme are described in Chapter 7,
and 3% thereafter, in order to reflect the though we seek to highlight the key
fact that benefits and costs today are factors that may affect the BCR
valued more highly than those throughout this document.
in the future.
The economic case in the context of
The robustness of our assumptions for the previous HS2 Ltd published documents
economic case 1.1.8 Since our March 2010 report was
1.1.6 Investment in high speed rail is a major, published, some of the assumptions
probably once in a generation, decision and approaches used to generate the
with a very long life. In line with Government economic case have been updated and
advice, we have assessed the economic modified. Key assumptions that have
case over the construction period and 60 changed are listed below:
years of operation. This is a conservative
approach: we would expect the investment • Rail demand is now forecast to grow
in high speed rail to have a much longer more slowly than we forecast last year.
life. Our assessment of the future level of This is due to two factors. First, the
demand for long distance travel and the forecasts of Gross Domestic Product
impact of introducing HS2 has been (GDP) growth produced by the previous
informed by evidence and guidance from Government showed higher rates of
6
Economic Case for HS2
7
2. The Proposed High Speed
Rail Network – The Y
2.1 The wider context 2.1.4 The Government’s choice of the Y network
was based on work by HS2 Ltd comparing
2.1.1 Government set up HS2 Ltd in January this configuration with a ‘reverse S’
2009 to consider the case for new high configuration serving London to Birmingham,
speed rail services between London and Manchester and Leeds in a single line.
Scotland and, in particular: This work was published in October 20103.
The clear conclusion is that a Y configuration
• to look at the feasibility of, and as shown in Figure 1 is likely to offer
business case for, a new high speed the best economic case for the basis
rail line between London and the West of the network.
Midlands, and to develop associated
route proposals; 2.1.5 Following this, also in October 2010, HS2
Ltd was asked by Government to prepare
• to consider the potential development a more detailed assessment of the
of a high speed network beyond the business case for extending the proposed
West Midlands at the level of broad HS2 line from the West Midlands to
route corridors. Manchester and Leeds and develop route
proposals, reporting in December 2011.
2.1.2 Reports on this remit were published
in March 2010. In October 2010 the
Government announced that its preferred
option for high speed rail north of
Birmingham is for two separate corridors
– one corridor direct to Manchester and
then connecting on to the WCML, and the
other to Leeds via the East Midlands and
South Yorkshire, with stations in both
areas, before connecting to the East
Coast Main Line.
8
Economic Case for HS2
Edinburgh
Glasgow
Newcastle
Leeds
Manchester
Liverpool South Yorkshire
East Midlands
Birmingham Interchange
Birmingham
(Birmingham Airport)
Crossrail Interchange
(Old Oak Common)
Heathrow London
Airport Euston
Paris
Brussels
Amsterdam
Frankfurt
Figure 1 – Indicative map of the proposed Y shaped high speed rail network
Source: HS2 Ltd
9
2. The Proposed High Speed Rail Network – The Y
10
Economic Case for HS2
11
2. The Proposed High Speed Rail Network – The Y
distance services on the Midland and 2.2.9 It is in the context of the wider economic
East Coast Main Lines. This is part of the appraisal of the Y network that we present
forward programme to December 2011. the economic case for HS2 (London –
West Midlands). The remainder
2.2.8 Taking account of all of these factors, of this document focuses on the case
we estimate a central BCR for the Y for this scheme, which has been worked
network of 2.6 including WEIs. If we took through to a much greater level of detail.
a less conservative point on the range,
the BCR would be 3.4, while a more
conservative point would be 2.0 including
WEIs. This is set out in Table 2 below.
Table 2 – Quantified Benefits and Costs (£ billions) of the Y network (2009 PV/prices)
and the resulting BCR
(1) Transport User Benefits Business £25.2 bn
Other £13.1 bn
(2) Other quantifiable benefits (excl. Carbon) £0.4 bn
(3) Loss to Government of indirect taxes -£2.7 bn
(4) Estimate of additional released capacity £1.3 bn
benefits facilitated by the Y network (£0 – £2.6 bn)
(5) Net Transport Benefits £37.3 bn
= (1) + (2) + (3) + (4) (£36.0 bn – £38.7 bn)
(6) Wider Economic Impacts (WEIs) (London – West Midlands only) £4.0 bn
(7) Estimate of Additional WEIs from the Y network £2.3 bn
(£0 – £4.7 bn)
(8) Net Benefits including WEIs £43.7 bn
= (5) + (6) +(7) (£40.0 bn – £47.4 bn)
(9) Capital costs £30.4 bn
(10) Operating costs £17.0 bn
(11) Estimate of additional classic line cost -£3.1 bn
savings facilitated by the Y network (£0 – -£6.1 bn)
(12) Total Costs £44.3 bn
= (9) + (10) + (11) (£47.4 bn – £41.3 bn)
(13) Revenues £27.2 bn
(14) Net Costs to Government £17.1 bn
= (12) – (13) (£20.2 bn – £14.1 bn)
(15) BCR without WEIs 2.2
= (5) / (14) (1.8 – 2.7)
(16) BCR with WEIs 2.6
= (8) / (14) (2.0 – 3.4)
Source: HS2 Ltd
N.B. the numbers in brackets represent a range around the central numbers presented
above them.
12
3. Passenger Demand for HS2
(London – West Midlands)
3.1 Introduction 3.2 Forecast demand
3.1.1 In this chapter we set out our estimate of without HS2 (‘do
future demand for rail travel first without and minimum’ scenario)
then with HS2 (London – West Midlands)
and explain how we have tested our results 3.2.1 Transport infrastructure has a long life.
in relation to the inevitable uncertainty of We need long term forecasts to understand
the future. We report on the forecasts that future demand and hence capacity
we have produced from our detailed work requirements and to inform the economic
relating to the recommended route of HS2 case for HS2. We have first to consider
between London and the West Midlands. what the underlying future growth of
We are currently developing those forecasts demand for travel is likely to be, without
to produce a detailed economic case for HS2. We refer to these projections as our
the Y network by December 2011. ‘do minimum’ assumptions.
13
3. Passenger Demand for HS2 (London – West Midlands)
190
180
170
Index 1995=1005
160
150
140
130
120
110
100
90
95
96
97
98
99
00
01
02
03
04
05
06
07
08
09
19
19
19
19
19
20
20
20
20
20
20
20
20
20
20
Year
3.2.3 The number of long distance rail trips has 3.2.4 Transport demand is driven by the cost of
grown by 5% per year on average since travel, population growth and employment
1995, faster than growth in all rail trips. rates and the fact that, with economic
Air travel was growing at a rate of over 5% growth over time, people in the UK
per annum until 2006 when new security become wealthier and lifestyle aspirations
measures increased check in times and increase. As a result, people can afford to,
reduced the attractiveness of air travel. and want to, travel more and hence the
This pattern of growth suggests that demand for trips (both for business and
people will travel more often, over longer leisure purposes) increases. To forecast
distances in the future. future demand we therefore need to make
assumptions about how these drivers will
5 An index presents future year values compared to
a base year value of 100. In this case 1995 = 100
and trip rates in subsequent years are presented as
variations to this base value of 100.
6 Long distance GB rail trips are approximated by
trips on long distance rail operations (Cross-Country,
Midland Main Line, Great Western, East Coast Main
Line and WCML)
14
Economic Case for HS2
change in the future. We use a variety of growth in demand for long distance trips.
different sources for these assumptions. The growth rates are expected to slow to
varying degrees, with car travel forecasts
3.2.5 For economic growth we have applied in particular affected by the expected slow
medium term forecasts from the Office down in the rate of growth of car ownership.
for Budget Responsibility7, with long term By contrast, past trends do not suggest
forecasts provided by HM Treasury. any slow down in the growth in long
Transport prices and population changes distance rail travel. We could therefore
are taken from standard Department for project positive rail growth over the whole
Transport guidance and models. life of the scheme. However, given how far
ahead we are looking, we have taken a
3.2.6 The relationship between these drivers and more cautious approach: we would expect
transport demand is taken from existing demand to flatten off at some level in
evidence and the Department for Transport’s future, for example because of constraints
modelling guidance. For rail travel forecasts on people’s time.
we use the Department for Transport’s
recommended source – the Passenger 3.2.9 Given that we do not know exactly how
Demand Forecasting Handbook (PDFH). and when this would occur, we have
For air travel forecasts we use modelling simply applied a cut off rather than a taper
undertaken for the Department for which in theory would be more realistic.
Transport’s UK air passenger demand and For other rail appraisals the Department
carbon dioxide (CO2) forecasts 20098. for Transport typically uses a cut-off for
demand growth of 2026 as a reference
3.2.7 Each of these forecasts builds an point to ensure consistent comparison of
understanding of the relationship smaller scale schemes, such as investments
between demand and the key drivers in rolling stock. This is not appropriate for
based on detailed analysis of past trends HS2 as a major long term investment that
(e.g. changes in the number of trips would not even open before this cut-off
between specific stations on the rail point. For our earlier work we capped
network). Forecast growth in demand growth of rail demand in 2033, at a level
is then based on the fundamental of demand in the WCML corridor that is
assumption that past relationships slightly more than double current levels.
between these drivers and demand With the lower current GDP forecasts, this
will carry on into the future. Over the last cap would now be hit later, in 2043.
15 years growth rates for each mode of This level of demand is consistent with
transport have differed, so we have used households becoming wealthier as GDP
separate growth rates for each mode. per head grows and adopting lifestyles
with more frequent long distance travel as
3.2.8 The forecasts, produced as discussed
demonstrated by those in higher income
above, suggest there will be continued
bands today. We have also capped our
7 Office for Budget Responsibility official budgetary
forecast, June 2010 (http://budgetresponsibility.
independent.gov.uk/publications.html)
8 http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/aviation/atf/
co2forecasts09/
15
3. Passenger Demand for HS2 (London – West Midlands)
forecasts for growth of demand for other by 2043. This means that, even though
transport modes at 2043. some of the existing ‘Pendolino’ trains are
expected to have been lengthened from
Our resulting forecasts nine to eleven cars, the average number
of seats occupied on trains leaving
3.2.10 Given our assumptions of continued
London would be around 76% across the
economic growth, we forecast that by
day. On this basis, on weekdays by 2025
2043 people will on average be making
several peak period trains a day from
around 36% more trips per person of over
Manchester to London would have all
100 miles. This is equivalent to around
seats filled and people would be standing.
2.5 additional trips per person9 per year
By 2043 some trains to all destinations in
across all modes. Most of this comes from
peak periods would be full and passengers
forecast growth in air and car trips, with
would experience very crowded conditions.
rail trips increasing by around 0.5 trips
per person per year. Taking account of 3.1.13 Theimplications would be particularly
population growth we forecast the total severe for those passengers wishing to
number of long distance trips (over 100 travel from stations that are a stopping
miles) to increase by 64% by 2043, point on a service rather than the origin of
representing an increase of 1.4% per a service, for example Coventry or Stoke-
year on average and reflecting slower on-Trent. With significantly higher numbers
growth than over the past 15 years. of passengers boarding trains at Euston,
Birmingham and Manchester, trains would
3.2.11 Thisgrowth would represent a total of
become crowded before stopping at
9.5 long distance trips by all modes of
these intermediate stations and, by 2043,
transport per person in 2043 across the
at peak times passengers might not be
country as a whole. However, there are
able to board the service.
significant differences in the growth in
demand across the country, particularly
for longer distance trips to London. The reliability of our demand
For example rail trips from Glasgow to forecasts
London are expected to grow at a faster 3.2.14 TheDepartment for Transport’s
rate than from Birmingham to London, recommended approaches to forecasting
albeit from a far lower base of trips. The are based on extensive industry research.
number of rail trips per person per year That does not mean they are not subject
from Glasgow to London is expected to to uncertainty. We cannot ignore this and
rise by about one trip for every ten people have considered the impact of a range of
in the greater Glasgow area. assumptions on the economic case for
HS2 in Chapter 7. Areas that have been
3.2.12 Without
HS2, the result of this growth tested include:
would be increasing pressure on the
WCML. Long distance rail trips on the • The assumptions about the level of
WCML are forecast to more than double demand for long distance travel without
HS2 (the ‘do minimum’);
9 Per person figures are calculated using the total
Office of National Statistics Census population.
16
Economic Case for HS2
3.2.17 Chapter
7 presents further details of these 3.3.4 Such significant improvements in the
and other sensitivity tests that have been experience of travelling on the railway
undertaken on the sensitivity of the would lead to changes in the way people
economic case to our assumptions. travel, with people choosing to travel on
different rail routes or by rail rather than
car or plane and, in some cases, to travel
more frequently than they previously
17
3. Passenger Demand for HS2 (London – West Midlands)
would have done. The WCML upgrade • A detailed model of which stations
provided similar significant journey time people would choose to access the rail
improvements and has seen trip growth network (high speed and classic) within
of 36% between 2006 and 2009. This is the Birmingham and London areas.
nearly treble that seen on the East Coast This was designed to allow a better
Main Line (13%) in the same period. understanding of the impact of
accessibility to new stations on the
Transport modelling HS2 line.
3.3.5 We have used transport modelling to 3.3.7 Each of these components predicts
predict how people would respond to how different types of passenger would
HS2. A model is a computer-based respond to the time savings and crowding
numerical reflection of what may happen relief as a result of the introduction of HS2
in the real world and is constructed to and new services using released capacity.
codify and make predictions about what They do this by using both observed
will happen in the future. Models are behaviour of passengers and surveys –
sophisticated reflections of what happens where passengers are asked what choices
in the real world based on many years of they would make given different scenarios.
observed behaviour.
3.3.8 These components contain significant
3.3.6 Our model is a framework of different detail on the forecast trips between
models that have been integrated to different locations. The Long Distance
address each of the key considerations model covers both the mode of travel and
for the design of HS2 in detail. It has four the route taken between locations across
key elements: mainland Britain over road, rail and air
networks. The South and Midlands
• A model (‘Long Distance’) which is
focused on long distance travel covering models calculate the number of trips
and the route taken on the rail network
trips by car, rail and air. This is the main
covering the South and certain sections
market for HS2;
of the Midlands.
• Two models (‘South’ and ‘Midlands’)
3.3.9 Our model suggests that in 2043 around
which look at shorter distance trips,
136,000 passengers would use HS2 each
particularly in peak times, around the
day on the section between Birmingham
South and Midlands (of England).
Interchange and Old Oak Common, with a
These models ensure we can take
net increase of 53,000 passengers on the
account of the impacts on passengers
whole GB rail network. Around two thirds
on the classic network and particularly
of the HS2 passengers would otherwise
the effects of using released capacity
have travelled by classic rail and would
for regional and local services;
enjoy the advantage of the faster services.
• A model which looks at the market for Faster journeys and increased capacity
accessing Heathrow to catch onward would not only encourage people to use
international flights; and HS2 in preference to the WCML, air and
road travel, it would also lead to an
18
Economic Case for HS2
increase in the overall number of journeys 3.3.12 There would also be a significant net
in the London to West Midlands corridor. increase in long distance flows using the
Reduced crowding and increased comfort WCML and HS2 south of Birmingham.
of journeys, a greater range of services Overall the number of passengers would
provided on existing lines, new interchange increase by more than 57,000 per day by
station locations and faster services on 2043. HS2 services south of Birmingham,
HS2 would make rail travel more attractive including ‘classic compatible’ services,
to those who would otherwise choose not would be well used with an average
to make journeys. This is shown in Table 3. percentage loading factor of 58% of seats
filled across a whole day (average of trains
Table 3 – Source of trips, of passengers travelling in both directions). As this is an
using HS2 (London – West Midlands) average figure across the day, this means
that during peak periods, most seats
Passengers using HS2, 2043 (forecast)
would be filled.
Switch from classic rail 65%
New trips 22%
Shift from air 6%
Shift from car 7%
Total 100%
Source: HS2 Ltd model
19
3. Passenger Demand for HS2 (London – West Midlands)
Figure 3 – Change in long distance daily trips after the introduction of HS2 (London –
West Midlands), in 2043.
Source: HS2 Ltd model
20
Economic Case for HS2
Figure 4 – Forecast daily load factors on long distance services after the introduction of
HS2 (London – West Midlands), in 2043.
Source: HS2 Ltd model
21
3. Passenger Demand for HS2 (London – West Midlands)
22
Economic Case for HS2
Common. Figure 5 illustrates the forecast north west and north east London as well
proportion of people accessing Euston as a small section of Westminster close to
and Old Oak Common from various zones Crossrail stations and the City of London.
in London. The colour green indicates The majority of demand for Euston would
that the majority of people would access be from south and south east London
Euston, blue that the majority would use and north and central London including
Old Oak Common. Our modelling suggests the London Boroughs of Westminster,
that demand for the Old Oak Common Islington and Camden.
station would be mainly from east, west,
Figure 5 – Proportion of passengers choosing to use Euston and Old Oak Common
by area
Source: Mott Macdonald 2011 (data represents an example trip using HS2 from London
to Manchester).
23
3. Passenger Demand for HS2 (London – West Midlands)
3.3.18 Asa result of HS2, the number of made as a result of modal shift would
passengers per day using Euston Mainline be a sub-set of this market as some
Station is expected to increase by 32,000. passengers would continue to fly. New
Surveys of current passengers at Euston journeys might also be generated from
suggest around 62% of passengers would passengers who would make the journey
arrive or depart by London Underground if a faster and more convenient rail service
in the three hour morning peak. With was available but we have made no
HS2 this would mean 5,500 additional upwards adjustment for this factor.
passengers using Euston Underground
Station in the morning peak period. 3.3.22 Our modelling is based on a well established
relationship between the relative market
3.3.19 Both the Northern and Victoria lines which shares of rail and air, and rail journey
stop at Euston are likely to be heavily times. This shows that with a train time
crowded by 2043 even without HS2. of three and a half to four hours rail would
Although the introduction of HS2 will add be likely to attract around half of the market.
to this pressure, the number of passengers On this basis our modelling predicts that
added by HS2 is likely to be relatively direct international services to and from
small (around 2%) compared to the the West Midlands would carry around
number of passengers already forecast 4,850 passengers per day in 2033. It is,
to be on London Underground services of course, possible that extending the
passing through Euston. high speed rail network beyond the West
Midlands, as well as a different pricing
The tunnelled link with or regulatory environment, could further
High Speed 1 increase the market for international rail
travel. Even in that case, the likely future
3.3.20 HS2 is not only about travel within demand for international high speed rail
Great Britain. A direct link to HS1 would services would justify a single track, rather
open up the opportunity for better rail than double track link, to HS1.
connections from the West Midlands
and beyond to France, Belgium and
other European destinations. Our work 3.4 Summary
suggests that in the first phase, with a
high speed line only between London and 3.4.1 We forecast that, in the absence of HS2,
the West Midlands, these benefits would demand for long distance rail travel
be relatively small, but with potential to between London and the West Midlands
grow if the price of air travel increases between now and 2043 will more than
relative to HS2. double. With HS2 in place, demand would
increase further. Rail journeys beginning
3.3.21 Wealso looked at the demand for direct and ending in London are forecast to
high speed rail services from the West grow faster than rail journeys nationally
Midlands to Continental Europe based on and that longer distance journeys grow
projections of air travel from the five major faster as total incomes increase.
airports from the Midlands northwards
to six major destinations in Continental
Europe. The total potential rail trips
24
Economic Case for HS2
25
4. Benefits, Costs and
Economic Impacts
4.1 Introduction benefits are given at the level of prices
prevailing in 2009 (‘2009 prices’).
4.1.1 A monetary amount is attributed to each
‘unit’ of benefit or non-financial cost 4.1.4 Transport appraisal considers the impact
(inconvenience) experienced by individual of an investment such as HS2 on the
people who would be affected by HS2. whole experience of a journey including
This is calculated by assessing the extent the time spent travelling, financial cost,
to which they would be willing to pay reliability and crowding. Time savings,
for the benefit or the amount of money crowding and reliability improvements are
that they would be willing to accept as measured using ‘values of time’ for which
compensation for the inconvenience. The there are established monetary values
monetary amount attributed to the benefit published by Government. The process
or inconvenience experienced by an for doing this is explained below.
individual is set out in Department for
4.1.5 The appraisal also estimates the impacts
Transport transport appraisal guidance for
on rail revenues, which could be used to
a wide range of benefits and costs. This is
offset the costs of building, operating and
the source of inputs to our calculations
maintaining the railway. We measure the
and hence the basis of the monetisation
net change in revenue to the railway as a
of costs and benefits.
whole, which includes the revenue gained
4.1.2 As explained in the introductory chapter, by HS2 and as a result of released capacity,
we adjust all future values to a ‘Present but also the losses to the existing railway
Value’ (PV). as a result of passengers who switch to
HS2, and those who may choose not to
4.1.3 The economic case should cover the travel by rail because of the changes to
full expected period of use of the asset. services on the existing network.
Transport infrastructure assets such as
tunnels and bridges have design lives
in excess of 100 years. However, the 4.2 The reference case
impacts of uncertainty and discounting
increase over time. In line with Department 4.2.1 We have set out a ‘reference case’ against
for Transport practice for major capital which we can appraise HS2. This is a
investments our appraisal has been full scenario setting out what transport
carried out over the construction period investment and services might be in the
plus 60 years of operation. This period absence of HS2 in 2026, the year that
strikes a balance between design life of HS2 (London – West Midlands) is assumed
major civil engineering assets and the to open. The reference case includes the
certainty and significance of the present travel demand projections set out in the
value of future benefits. All costs and ‘do minimum’ scenario in Chapter 3.
26
Economic Case for HS2
4.2.2 In creating our reference case for HS2 distance services and the introduction of
we have made assumptions about the additional local and regional services
developments in transport in the UK that (see Appendix 1).
would be in place in 2026. These are
consistent with the outcome of the 2010
Spending Review: 4.3 Benefits
• Any highways, rail and local transport 4.3.1 In this chapter we set out the forecast
schemes that the Government has impacts on those who would travel
committed to build before 201510; between London and the West Midlands
and beyond using HS2, as well as those
• Lengthening of some Pendolino trains using the existing rail network. These are
on the WCML to eleven cars from nine; categorised as journey time savings,
reliability improvements, reduction in
• Continued investment in the roads crowding, (all of which are benefits) and
programme and London transport ‘other’ – including journey time to stations
beyond 2015, consistent with the and the choice of stations. A numerical
National Transport Model, which is summary of these benefits is then provided.
unlikely to be affected by the building
of a new high speed line;
Journey time savings
• Investment in specific rail schemes 4.3.2 Time is valued by everyone, albeit at
beyond 2015 – Thameslink, Crossrail different rates. The ability to spend less
and the Intercity 125 High Speed Train time travelling means that people can
(HST) fleet. achieve more in any one day which is a
benefit. This time saving benefit is a core
4.2.3 The transport model is first run with the factor in transport appraisals and we
reference case assumptions, and then incorporate it by converting the benefit
with the addition of HS2. The difference each person receives from time savings
between them is used as the basis for into a monetary value which can then be
assessing the benefits of HS2. included in our value for money appraisal.
4.2.4 We have assumed a service pattern for 4.3.3 We calculate the monetary value of the
HS2 (London – West Midlands) based journey time savings described above
on three trains per hour in each direction using the concept of “value of time”. This
between London and Birmingham, rising is the amount of money a person would be
to four in the peak, using dedicated prepared to pay to save time or the amount
rolling stock, and three trains per hour they would accept as compensation for
to Manchester, two to Liverpool and one time lost. Values of time depend on who
to Glasgow using ‘classic-compatible’ is paying for a person’s time, either an
trains. We have also assumed an adjusted employer or the individual. That is why
service pattern on the WCML, with the we calculate values of time for working
withdrawal and adjustment of some long and non-working time separately.
27
4 Benefits, Costs and Economic Impacts
4.3.4 Working time values apply to journeys made shows they are willing to pay at least £30
during the course of work and are based to save three hours; in other words their
on how much the time spent travelling costs value of time is at least £10 per hour. We
the employer. We have used working time have used non-working time values (based
values published by the Department for on research into journey choices) published
Transport11, which are based on the average by the Department for Transport. These
gross wage of transport users plus other values of non-working time are lower than
costs such as National Insurance, pensions the values of working time.
and overheads. These values assume that
workers are not able to work productively Reliability improvements
during the course of their journey. This is 4.3.6 The reliability of train services is important
a standard assumption used in transport to people because unreliability can disrupt
appraisal. With the advent of technologies their schedules, and if they expect poor
such as laptops and ‘wifi’ internet networks reliability they tend to factor in additional
which allow people to work on trains we time to travel, which reduces the time
recognise this is an area of debate. For that they can spend on other activities.
this reason we have tested the implications The less complex the mix of services on
of changing this assumption for the overall a line, the easier it is to ensure reliability.
economic case. Further details of this test The proposed high speed line would have
can be found in Chapter 7. all services running at the same speed
which would improve reliability.
4.3.5 Non-working time values apply to journeys
made outside work such as commuting 4.3.7 We value improved reliability by translating
and leisure trips. The benefit of saving time it into an equivalent journey time saving
to these passengers is less tangible – it and then applying the value of time. We
does not have a ‘price’ that we can directly have used a measure of reliability, known
observe. Rather it means improvements as average minutes lateness (AML), which
in the quality of life for that passenger is calculated as the average lateness
– perhaps allowing them to spend more across a number of trains. If for example
time at home with their family, or allowing out of five trains, four trains arrive on time
them to move house and commute further but the fifth is fifteen minutes late, the AML
to their job. We can estimate the benefits would be three minutes. We have converted
from research into individuals’ willingness improvements in AML as a result of HS2
to pay for a quicker journey. This is done into an equivalent journey time saving based
by examining real or theoretical journey on Department for Transport guidance12
choices between cheaper, slower journeys that rail passengers value one minute of
and more expensive, quicker journeys. For lateness the same as three minutes of
example, someone might be able to choose journey time. This equivalent journey time
to travel by intercity train in two hours at saving is then multiplied by the value of
a cost of £50 or travel by coach in five time to give the value of improved reliability.
hours for £20. If they choose the train, it
11 Department for Transport WebTAG unit 3.5.6 12 Department for Transport WebTAG unit 3.5.7
(http://www.dft.gov.uk/webtag/documents/expert/ (http://www.dft.gov.uk/webtag/documents/expert/
unit3.5.6.php) unit3.5.7.php)
28
Economic Case for HS2
4.3.9 For example, each leisure passenger on a • The cost of getting to stations. New
train with more than 70% of seats taken stations may be nearer or further away,
has a crowding penalty attributed to them affecting how passengers view the cost
in our model. This is small (equivalent to of getting to that station;
an additional 3% on top of the monetised
value of a minute of journey time). As the • The length of time spent waiting for
crowding levels rise the penalty increases, trains. The more frequent trains are,
until when 100% of seats are taken, the the less time passengers have to wait
penalty used rises to the equivalent of an for their train. Many long distance
additional 16% on top of journey time for passengers plan to catch a specific
passengers with a seat. For a passenger train, but higher frequencies still bring
standing when 100% of seats are taken, a benefit in offering more choice and
the crowding penalty value is much higher, flexibility; and
at over three times the value placed on
• The number of changes. Passengers
journey time. The penalty continues to
generally do not like changing trains given
increase as the level of crowding increases
the risk of missing onward connections
and passengers have increasingly less
and moving luggage. Providing more
personal space.
direct journey opportunities results in
benefits to passengers.
29
4. Benefits, Costs and Economic Impacts
4.3.12 Allthese factors are reflected in our around £1.8 billion in benefits from lower
model. However, there is one area where congestion, as well as reduced accidents
an adjustment needs to be made to the and improved air quality and noise impacts
model. Where there is a choice of different around major roads.
stations a passenger could use, the
current model distributes passengers Summary of Impacts
between stations to reflect different on Transport Users
preferences. In reality passengers choose
4.3.15 We have attempted to capture all the
the station that best fits their preferences,
impacts of HS2 (London – West Midlands).
based on a range of factors. However,
However, there are some impacts which
the model artificially calculates a disbenefit
require more detail than is available at the
if that choice has been on the basis of
current stage of development. These
anything other than the lowest access
include the benefits of redeveloped stations
cost for the average user. An adjustment
(for example, the redeveloped Euston would
will be made for this as part of our forward
bring benefits to all passengers using it,
programme. We expect it to slightly
which we have not captured). If HS2 is
increase the benefits.
progressed, further work would set out
4.3.13 We estimate that international trips via the more clearly the quality of the station
HS1 connection would deliver a further facilities and area, which would allow us
£0.4 billion in benefits. to estimate the impacts. It is also likely that
reducing the numbers of trains running on
Non-rail User Impacts the WCML would improve the performance
of the route, making it easier for services
4.3.14 The vast majority of benefits of HS2 would to recover from disruptions. We have
accrue to rail passengers. However HS2 not counted any such reliability benefits.
is also expected to attract trips from Finally, we have made no allowance for
private car users. Overall we expect that private sector contributions, for example
7% of HS2 passengers would otherwise towards station development, nor the
have travelled by car which, from potential for increasing freight use on the
Birmingham to London city-centre to WCML as a result of capacity released
city-centre, currently takes approximately by HS2. All of these may improve the
two hours and thirty minutes14. As a result economic case in due course. But none
we expect traffic on motorways between are included at this stage, in Table 4
London and the West Midlands to fall below, or in the overall economic case.
by about 1%. Whilst this is only a small
proportion of total motorway trips, the 4.3.16 Thetotal benefits to transport users over
impact in terms of congestion could be the course of the 60 year appraisal period,
greater as on busy roads a small reduction separated by the type of benefit and the
in the number of vehicles can make a type of passenger are set out in Table 5
significant difference to delays experienced. below. Net rail revenues would also increase
We estimate that removing long distance by £13.7 billion over the same period.
passengers from the roads would deliver
14 Source: www.transportdirect.info
30
Economic Case for HS2
4.3.17 Although the majority of users of HS2 While the majority of transport users
would be leisure passengers, around two would benefit from the introduction of
thirds of the quantified benefits would be HS2, a small number of passengers could
to business users. This reflects the higher experience longer journey times or less
value that business users and their frequent services.
employers attach to having faster journeys.
The monetary equivalent value of the 4.3.20 Overallthe benefits from new services
benefit of HS2 in 2043 is £11 for each would outweigh any disbenefits. For
trip on HS2 between London and the example, with our assumed service pattern
West Midlands by rail. This is the mean Coventry would gain an additional Cross-
(arithmetic average) of the benefit to Country service, a new direct service to
business and leisure passengers. the North West, and more services into
Birmingham. Other passengers would
4.3.18 Theimpacts in Table 4 are not limited to also gain significantly from HS2 being
passengers on HS2. Our indicative service built through reduced crowding on the
pattern includes changes to the use of classic network. With our assumed service
capacity on the classic network. Passengers pattern, the services that would replace
switching to HS2 would reduce crowding current long distance services on the
levels for other passengers on the WCML, WCML south of Birmingham would stop
and capacity freed up by HS2 could be at more stations throughout the day and
used to increase local, fast commuter would provide a better service to towns
and regional services. We estimate the and cities on this line and hence would
latter is worth around £2.6 billion of support economic activity in those places.
the £17.9 billion of benefits in Table 4.
This figure does not, however, count the Regional impacts
potential benefits of improved reliability on 4.3.21 HS2 would generate benefits for transport
the WCML as a result of these changes. users across much of the UK. It is also
relevant to consider the geographical
4.3.19 Ourmodelling includes both positive and
distribution of the benefits of HS2. Three
negative effects of HS2 and the indicative
large economic centres in the country –
service patterns assumed for the WCML.
31
4. Benefits, Costs and Economic Impacts
London, Birmingham and Manchester – where a trip finishes would give a similar
representing almost a quarter of the UK’s pattern of benefits). Trips starting in
employment, would benefit directly from London generate the largest share of
HS2 (London – West Midlands). But benefits benefits and there are also significant
would not be limited to areas directly benefits from trips starting in the West
served by HS2. Passengers from a wider Midlands and the North West. Over one
area would be likely to access high speed quarter of the benefits accrue to trips
services, using both road and classic rail starting north of Birmingham, with the
to access the high speed stations. North West the biggest beneficiary.
32
Economic Case for HS2
33
4. Benefits, Costs and Economic Impacts
Potential land use changes could also 4.4.10 Thiswork shows that there are many
have an effect (see paragraphs 4.4.9 and reasons for the success or failure of
4.4.10 below). individual high speed rail stations –
often specific to the local circumstances.
4.4.7 The agglomeration impacts are based However there are some consistent
on a methodology that focuses on messages in this literature.
relationships within geographic regions,
with the size of those benefits reducing • Integration is key. Simply building a
rapidly over longer distances. This means station or link to a high speed network is
that the current accepted methodology not enough. For success to be achieved
suggests there would be only modest the station has to be integrated into the
agglomeration benefits directly from an wider strategic plans of local agencies,
inter-urban scheme such as HS2. especially integration with the local
transport network. There are many
4.4.8 At the national level Wider Economic factors which are important in
Impacts as currently calculated therefore regeneration beyond transport alone.
comprise approximately one fifth of the It is not surprising therefore that wider
overall economic case for HS2. However strategies on land use planning and
at a regional and local level the effects of even education and skills are needed
HS2 on the distribution of activity could to successfully integrate a station into
be very much more significant. the local and regional economy.
34
Economic Case for HS2
Table 6 – Monetised benefits of HS2 (London – West Midlands) using Department for
Transport transport appraisal and Wider Economic Impacts Guidance (2009 PV/prices)
Benefit £ millions
A) Conventional Appraisal
Time Savings (including crowding)
Business user savings 11,100
Commuting & Leisure user savings 6,400
Other Benefits
Other User Impacts (highway accidents, air quality and HS1 link) 400
Total transport user benefits 17,900
C) Total (excluding financing, social & environmental costs & benefits) 21,900
Source: HS2 Ltd Model
35
4 Benefits, Costs and Economic Impacts
36
Economic Case for HS2
Table 7 – Capital cost estimates for HS2 (London – West Midlands) preferred scheme
excluding rolling stock; £ millions, Quarter 3 2009 prices
Item £ millions Includes
Rail systems 365 Track, ballast, fencing, drainage, junctions
Control systems 215 Signalling control and telecommunications
Traction Power systems 260 Overhead line equipment and power supply,
Stations 1,630 Euston, Old Oak Common, Birmingham Interchange
and Curzon Street
Earthworks 725 Earthworks, retaining walls and green tunnels
Structures 565 Bridges and viaducts
Tunnels 1,380 Twin and single bore tunnels (excludes green tunnels),
includes HS1 link
Roads 145 Including major highways / motorway reconfiguration
Utilities 175 Relocation of utilities e.g. water, power
Additional items 490 People mover and rail reconstruction work
Contractor administration costs 950 Preparatory work, site supervision, testing, training,
spare equipment.
Total Construction Cost 6,900 Excluding risk
Mitigation 215 Additional environmental mitigation
Land costs / compensation 930 Land acquisition / compensation plus administration
of schemes (as assessed at Dec 2009)
Rolling stock depot 250 Main depot and London stabling
Heathrow Stubs 50 Provisional sum
Project overheads 735 Client and project management costs
Design 765 All design costs and topographical / ground
investigation surveys
Existing rail interface costs 195 Possession management,
compensation for operational disruption
Statutory charges 200 Consultation and planning consent related costs
Construction risk 2,245 Route section and route-wide construction risks from
the Quantified Risk Analysis
Additional provision for 4,280 Provision in line with HM Treasury Supplementary
‘optimism bias’ Green Book Guidance
Estimated Total Cost (Mean) 16,765 At Quarter 3 2009 prices
Source: HS2 Ltd allocated engineering costs for the purposes of the Economic Case
N.B. Figures are approximate and are rounded to the nearest £5m.
4.6.6 As might be expected, civil engineering some 23% of the construction cost. Use
costs such as tunnels, viaducts and of tunnels to approach London and for
earthworks dominate the predicted environmental mitigation purposes in the
infrastructure costs. In particular, although Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural
tunnels would make up 13% of the total Beauty accounts for most of this figure.
route length, they would contribute to
37
4. Benefits, Costs and Economic Impacts
4.6.7 The scale and complexity of construction Working with HM Treasury to reduce
of the two proposed stations in London, capital cost forecasts
particularly Euston, account for the In 2009 we commissioned a ‘benchmarking’
majority of the station costs. For Euston, study by independent consultants, BSL, which
given this would involve the existing station investigated civil engineering costs in other
being rebuilt, costs from the reconstruction countries and compared them to costs in the
of St Pancras station were used as a UK.21 This study showed that civil engineering
guide. Costs were assessed taking into costs in the UK are up to twice what they
account factors such as the depth below are in other comparable European countries.
ground, the creation of track to approach
the station and the level of the main Following this, we were asked to work with
station concourse. For Old Oak Common, Infrastructure UK (IUK), part of HM
the costs were estimated with Stratford Treasury, which advises the Government on
International station as a benchmark long-term infrastructure needs of the UK
because this is a similar design. and provides expertise to support major
projects such as HS2.
4.6.8 Earthworks, bridges and viaduct costs In December 2010 IUK produced a report
depend on the proportion that these make of this study, called the Infrastructure Cost
up of the line of route and the scale of the Review,20 investigating our findings further,
viaducts, bridges and major earthworks as well as similar findings from other
required given the land features of the reports. It identifies the scale of issues and
route. System costs, including rail and range of possible actions that could be
control systems, make up a relatively undertaken to reduce the cost of civil
small percentage of the overall costs. engineering construction in UK.
The proportion is similar to other high
speed line projects across Europe. The result of this work is that we have been
able to apply a reduction of approximately
4.6.9 A review of our key construction costs £800m (including risk) to the previous total
has been undertaken. Costs for building forecast of tunnelling costs.
structures and embankments are
generally in line with those used by the 4.6.10 Land costs have been assessed for
Highways Agency for comparable work. the terminal stations and the preferred
A review of tunnel costs is much harder line of route. Our advisors have estimated
due to the range of individual factors the land cost to be in the range of
affecting tunnel costs; our tunnel costs £0.9 – 1.1 billion. This estimate still applies
have been compared to emerging following changes to the proposed line of
Crossrail tunnelling costs and findings route since publication of our March 2010
from the Infrastructure UK construction report; however we have not undertaken
costs study completed during 201020 . an update to the detailed land cost
estimate since March 2010.
20 Infrastructure Cost Review: Main Report, 21 Comparison of High Speed Lines’ CAPEX,
Infrastructure UK, December 2010 (http://www.hm- BSL, November 2009 (http://www.hs2.org.uk/
treasury.gov.uk/iuk_cost_review_index.htm) assets/x/56773
38
Economic Case for HS2
39
4. Benefits, Costs and Economic Impacts
Table 8 – Rolling stock capital cost estimates; £ millions, Quarter 3 2009 prices
Rolling stock type £ millions Comments
High Speed (HS) standard 472 Includes risk provision of 18% (standard,
captive (HS track) fleet (16 sets) off-the-shelf, European designs; relatively
Length: 200m low risk)
Capacity 550 seats
HS classic-compatible fleet 2,363 Includes risk provision of 40% (higher
(i.e. for use on both existing risk reflecting greater complexity and
track and HS track) (45 sets) commercial viability of UK-specific design
Length: 200m and development)
Capacity 550 seats
Total 2,835 At Quarter 3 2009 prices
Source: HS2 Ltd
40
Economic Case for HS2
• Station costs. We prepared staffing 4.6.17 We assume that operating costs remain
estimates for operational staff for each broadly constant, adjusted only for inflation,
of the four different station types for each of the 60 years of operation. We
identified in the preferred scheme. have applied a cautious 41% allowance
Example station utility and maintenance for optimism bias to all operating costs in
costs have also been included. This line with HM Treasury guidance.
does not include any non-operational
commercial and retail activities. 4.6.18 Theunit rate assumptions for operating
costs set out above for rolling stock
• Released capacity on the WCML. operations and maintenance were
We estimated the reduction in operating combined with the service specification
costs on the classic network that arises assumptions modelled (for example the
as a result of the introduction of HS2. number of trains per day) to produce a
This is a net impact, as services are total for these items. These totals and the
both removed from, and added to, cost assumptions for the other items
the classic network after the listed above are presented in Table 9.
introduction of HS2. Operating costs for each of the 60 years
are calculated in present values (PV) and
hence are presented as a total for the
whole period.
Table 9 – Operating Costs for HS2 (London – West Midlands) over the 60 year appraisal
period, by category
Operating Cost Type £ millions (PV)
Infrastructure operations and maintenance 700
Rolling stock maintenance 2,400
Rolling stock traction power 2,200
Train crew 1,200
Station costs 300
Classic line cost saving from released capacity -2,300
Additional provision for optimism bias 1,800
Total 6,200
Source: HS2 Ltd
41
5. The Economic Case for HS2
(London – West Midlands)
5.1 Overview 5.2 The Appraisal
5.1.1 We have considered the substantial 5.2.1 Table 10 below summarises all of the key
benefits as well as costs of HS2 (the line economic impacts that can readily be
between London and the West Midlands). quantified and valued in monetary terms.
In this chapter we draw this together Each item is numbered and we refer to
to consider the strength of the overall some of these, by number, in the following
economic case, and whether the benefits paragraphs. Our assessment of the impact
justify the costs. Wider issues, such as of HS2 on carbon emissions can be found
the potential for HS2 to contribute to in the Appraisal of Sustainability.
regeneration, likely job creation and the
carbon and other environmental impacts 5.2.2 The net transport benefits (item 4) would
are covered in the Appraisal of Sustainability. be worth almost £16.5 billion. Benefits to
business and other transport users would
5.1.2 The way in which we have carried out the represent the bulk of this (£11.1 billion
appraisal assumes that the Government and £6.4 billion respectively), with small
would both regulate and maintain the further benefits (£0.4 billion) from reductions
high speed railway. However, more work in accidents, noise and air quality from
on this is required at the next stage of lower road traffic and the HS1 connection.
development to allow us to consider more From this we have subtracted the loss to
complex assumptions about, for example, the Government of indirect tax revenue as
operating costs. a result of fewer people travelling by car,
for example, lower fuel duty receipts; this
is £1.3 billion (item 3). A further £4.0 billion
could be added through Wider Economic
Impacts (item 5). The total benefits of
the scheme, net of the loss of indirect
taxes are therefore estimated to be
£20.6 billion (item 6).
42
Economic Case for HS2
5.2.4 The Department for Transport considers scheme would deliver £2 in benefits.
the value for money of a scheme in terms The BCR excluding Wider Economic
of the value of benefits per pound of Impacts is 1.6. Since the benefits per
Government spending. The cost of the £1 spent are higher than £1, this BCR
scheme is not the same value as total represents a positive economic case.
Government spending on the project since
increasing revenues on the rail network 5.2.6 The BCRs presented above are lower
(worth £13.7 billion, item 10) would partially than those previously published in March
offset the costs. The net cost to Government 2010 as a result of changes to a number
would be £10.3 billion (item 11). of assumptions, as set out in paragraph
1.1.8. The slower GDP growth forecasts
5.2.5 The Benefit Cost Ratio (BCR) is the produced by the independent Office for
net benefit divided by the net cost to Budget Responsibility compared to those
Government (item 13). On this basis the of the previous Government are the
BCR of HS2, including Wider Economic primary reason.
Impacts would be 2.0. In other words
for every £1 spent by Government, the
43
5. The Economic Case for HS2 (London – West Midlands)
5.2.7 The economic case set out here is based • More detailed design of HS2. As the
on the evidence available at this point design of the scheme becomes more
in the design of the proposed scheme, detailed, we would expect to refine
drawing on detailed guidance from the our assessment of the economic case.
Department for Transport. There are We have already identified some
several further issues which HS2 Ltd benefits (improved station design for
would address as further detail on the example) which we cannot accurately
design of the proposed scheme and estimate at this stage. Some of these
policies surrounding HS2 develop. are included as sensitivity tests and the
results are presented in Chapter 7.
• Impact of competition and However others such as regional
regulatory regime. At this stage no timetable design, require significant
decisions have yet been taken by the further development of our forecasting
Government on the regulation and models and sensitivity tests cannot be
franchising arrangements within which run at this stage.
HS2 would operate. This would have
significant impacts on the scope for
competition and the resulting revenues
HS2 may generate. This may also raise
questions about the balance of public
subsidy and the contribution of fare
payers on the existing rail network.
We would work to better understand
the implications of different assumptions
on competition and regulation for both
HS2 and the classic rail network.
44
6. The case for a new
conventional speed line
6.1.1 In addition to the sensitivity tests on maximum speeds on the UK network
our central case assumptions that we and the acceleration performance of a
present in the next chapter, we have also standard reference train. This would halve
appraised the case for a new railway line the time saving from a high speed train.
operating at a conventional speed (a new
classic line). This was carried out at a high 6.1.5 This would reduce the number of people
level: we applied cost and journey time travelling on the line by 9%, causing overall
assumptions reflecting conventional benefits to fall by 33%. Revenues would
speeds to our preferred route for the fall by 24%, which means that while
high speed line. construction, operating and maintenance
costs would fall, the net cost saving (i.e.
6.1.2 Apart from speed we used the same cost minus revenues) would be around
specification as for the high speed line, £0.8 billion (2009 PV).
for example the service levels and station
stops, to assess this alternative. The 6.1.6 If the decision was taken to build a new
design criteria were also similar given line, therefore, upgrading the line to high
we assumed that a new line would be speed would have a relatively small net
built fully compliant with the Technical cost to Government, but would generate
Specifications for Interoperability, as is significant benefits (time savings) to
current UK Government policy for all passengers on HS2. As a result the
new lines. classic line alternative would have a worse
economic case than HS2. The incremental
6.1.3 This led us to conclude that the cost of case for a high speed line is very strong.
constructing the scheme to conventional
speed would only save about 9% of the 6.1.7 In most respects there would be little
costs of the high speed line. We assumed difference in terms of the sustainability
that operating and maintenance costs performance of a new classic line
would be comparable with the exception in comparison with HS2. The main
of train power costs. These would be differences would be that a new classic
lower on a classic speed line and have line would entail:
been assumed to be the same as those
• Lower carbon emissions due to lower
of a Pendolino. An overall cost saving
energy demands of slower speed trains;
of £1.5 billion in construction costs and
£75 million per year in operating costs • Greater flexibility to avoid sensitive
would therefore be possible. features in more detailed scheme
design owing to the tighter curves
6.1.4 Travelling between London and Birmingham,
of a slower speed line; and
following the same service pattern as the
high speed preferred package, would take
an extra 15 minutes, based on standard
45
6. The case for a new conventional speed line
46
7. The results of testing
our assumptions
7.1.1 We have, as far as possible, sought • Different rates of growth in demand,
to apply conservative assumptions in which might occur as a result of
assessing the overall case for HS2 and different economic conditions or
have subjected our judgement to the different relationships between income
views of an external analytical challenge and demand in the future;
panel. On that basis the economic case
that we have set out clearly demonstrates • The level at which demand is
that under our central assumptions HS2 ‘capped’ in the future and when
would offer value for money. the cap applies; and
The level and pattern of demand The cost of building and operating
without HS2 the scheme
7.1.4 Demand is a key issue for HS2, with 7.1.6 Whilst the construction of the proposed
higher forecasts of demand likely to result scheme has been through a detailed
in higher patronage on HS2, with the cost estimation process and an external
associated benefits and revenue. Within technical challenge panel to ensure it is
this set of tests we cover the implications as robust as possible, there is inevitably
of several different assumptions, including: uncertainty at the current stage of design.
In this section we consider the implications
of different ranges of costs and their
implications for the economic case.
47
7. The results of testing our assumptions
48
Economic Case for HS2
7.2.5 On the other hand, if demand stopped 7.2.8 However if demand growth were slower
growing earlier, the case for HS2 would – say 1.1% per year – the cap would be
be weaker. If demand were capped at the achieved in 2055, leading to a BCR
opening year of 2026 (17 years earlier than excluding WEIs of 1.3. If this decline were
we currently model), the BCR excluding due to lower economic growth, then the
WEIs would fall to 0.7. We estimate that BCR excluding WEIs would fall further to
– at current projected rates of growth just below 1.3. In this case, if the ultimate
– demand would need to continue to level of demand was still expected to be
grow until 2034 for the benefits of HS2 the same as we have assumed, there
to offset the costs. could be an argument for delaying
construction of the proposed scheme.
Rate of growth in travel At 50% lower growth in demand, the
BCR would be unchanged if the scheme
7.2.6 The speed at which the level of the cap
opened in 2034 instead of 2026.
is reached will affect the economic case
as well as the level itself. Our forecasts
assume that rail demand will grow by Pattern of demand across
around 1.4% per year overall, with growth the country
of up to 2.5% per year on some long 7.2.9 Whilst the average growth in all (short and
distance flows into London. This is long distance) trips on all modes in our
determined by our assumptions on how forecasts is around 52% by 2043, there is
the economy, travel costs and population significant variation in growth rates. Trips
change over time, and the relationship over longer distances have much higher
between these factors and transport growth (64% for trips over 100 miles)
demand. Changes in any of these reflecting past trends.
assumptions will change the rate of
growth – and when the ‘cap’ will be 7.2.10 Within long distance rail trips there is also
achieved. significant variation. Trips to and from
London are forecast to grow fastest,
7.2.7 We can look at the impact of different and the very long distance trips are also
rates of growth on the overall economic forecast to grow proportionately quickly.
case for HS2 with the current assumed For example, the number of rail passengers
opening year of 2026. For instance if between Glasgow and London is forecast
demand reached the level at which it is to increase by 174% by 2043.
capped in 2033 the BCR excluding WEIs
would be 1.9. If this were achieved 7.2.11 Such high rates of growth generally
through higher economic growth (i.e. reflect a low starting point, and therefore
the economy recovers from the recent relatively modest growth in the absolute
recession faster than anticipated), the BCR level of trips. For example, whilst demand
excluding WEIs would increase further to from Glasgow may almost treble, this
2.0 because that growth would further actually represents less than one additional
increase the value of time saved by rail trip to London for every 10 people in
passengers on HS2. the Greater Glasgow area.
49
7. The results of testing our assumptions
7.2.12 However it is useful to consider how trips that HS2 would serve; for example,
sensitive the economic case is to these Birmingham to London rail trips are
higher growth rates. If we were to cap forecast to increase by 129% – but even
growth from Scotland at the levels forecast this is less than one extra trip to London
for 2021, this would reduce the benefits per person per year in Birmingham.
by 6%, and reduce the overall BCR
excluding WEIs to 1.3. Pricing across the modes
7.2.16 Different price levels on road, rail and air
Pattern of demand across modes can also have complex impacts on the
7.2.13 Our forecasts are based on extrapolating demand and business case for HS2.
past trends. While there is little evidence Higher prices on air and road will tend to
of a slow down in the growth of long increase the number of passengers on rail
distance rail demand, some argue that even without HS2. More rail passengers
the total market for long distance travel is will tend to mean more passengers on
no longer growing – and that the growth HS2. In addition there is likely to be
in rail demand is largely down to people greater mode shift to HS2, further
shifting from air and car. increasing demand and adding to
revenues. As a result a scenario with high
7.2.14 To test the impact of this hypothesis, we oil and carbon trading prices (amounting
have assessed the (extreme) examples of to 37% higher air fares in 2043) would
assuming no growth in car trips or air trips increase the BCR excluding WEIs to 1.8.
beyond the levels seen in 2008. This is
equivalent to a 33% reduction in the car 7.2.17 Similarly, on an assumption that fuel duty
trip rate (the number of trips per person is increased by 50% more than currently
per year) by 2043 or a 53% reduction in forecast by 2043, then the BCR excluding
the air trip rate. In each case the freezing WEIs would rise to 2.4. This is mainly driven
of growth reduces the BCR excluding by growth in the overall size of the rail
WEIs to 1.5. Combining both examples market as a result of people choosing to
– equivalent to a 29% reduction in the use rail rather than car travel, and hence
overall trip rates in 2043 – would reduce being attracted to HS2. A combination of
the BCR excluding WEIs to 1.4. 50% higher road fuel duty and 37% higher
air fares would increase the BCR excluding
7.2.15 This confirms that the key driver for the WEIs to 2.7.
economic case for HS2 is growth in rail
trips. Our forecasts show significant 7.2.18 If rail prices increase, then the benefits
growth, particularly on certain long distance decline. If rail fares increase by RPI + 2%
flows into London, from a relatively low (instead of 1%) through to 2043, then
starting point. Overall we forecast increases demand on the railway would be 24%
in the number of rail trips over 100 miles lower. Assuming that demand is capped at
per person per year of 61% – an this lower level the result is that the number
additional 0.5 trips per person per year. of passengers on HS2 would fall, leading
This translates into overall growth in long to lower benefits and revenues overall
distance rail demand of 95%. These are (despite the higher fares). This would mean
higher increases for some of the key the BCR excluding WEIs falls to 0.9.
50
Economic Case for HS2
51
7 The results of testing our assumptions
of a journey. The way they actually behave 7.4 Costs and private sector
– the choices they make and the trade-offs
between time, cost and other factors – contributions
reflects these issues. These choices
7.4.1 Our estimates of costs have been built
are reflected in our model and show
from the bottom up, including detailed
that business passengers do value time
assessment of the needs of the scheme
savings on trains, and that if anything,
and comparison with costs of constructing
they place a slightly higher value on this
HS1 and other rail schemes. We have
than is recommended by the Department
included an allowance for risks and
for Transport.
‘optimism bias’ which adds 64% to
our infrastructure capital cost estimates.
Other Benefits
These cost estimates have been tested
7.3.8 We have attempted to be as within HS2 Ltd and by an independent
comprehensive as possible in the panel of experts.
assessment of costs and benefits.
However we have identified a number 7.4.2 However, there are ranges in our cost
of areas where we expect further work estimates to reflect different views of the
may result in benefits which have not risks and future performance of the rail
been captured so far. One such area network. In particular, on the costs of
is the potential benefits of improved construction, we report a range of
station design. £16.0 to £17.7 billion. This is equivalent to
a range in the BCR excluding WEIs of 1.5
7.3.9 We would expect the redevelopment to 1.7. Recent work by the HM Treasury’s
of Euston would offer the potential to Infrastructure UK has identified a number
significantly enhance the passenger of potential areas for greater efficiency in
experience. A better station layout would the construction of infrastructure projects,
minimise walk times between key areas and the actions to realise these. If these
of the station, whilst better design of delivered a further 15% reduction in costs,
information, seating, retail and other factors the effect would be to increase the BCR
would provide benefits to passengers. excluding WEIs to 2.0.
7.3.10 We do not attempt to value these 7.4.3 In line with HM Treasury guidance, the
potential benefits in our central case as level of optimism bias has been calculated
they would depend on the detailed design to take account of the specific nature of
of any final station. However, Atkins has HS2 and the status of our Quantified Risk
undertaken a brief review of the potential Assessment. An alternative approach used
scale of the benefits, based on the by other schemes with less detailed risk
projected number of passengers using the assessments is simply to apply a 66%
station and evidence from similar station optimism bias to construction costs. This
enhancements. They have concluded falls within the range of costs calculated by
that the redesign of Euston station could our approach. We believe our approach
deliver benefits of between £900 million is a better reflection of the true risks
and £1.5 billion, which would increase the associated with the construction of HS2.
BCR to around 1.7, excluding WEIs.
52
Economic Case for HS2
7.4.4 Another area of significant costs for HS2 electricity costs and greater productivity
would be the purchase costs of rolling gains in the rail industry. This would
stock. We have made allowances for the increase the BCR without WEIs to 2.0.
degree of complexity in construction of However, if productivity growth is slower
different types of rolling stock. Trains that – or wage growth faster – than expected,
would operate on HS2 only (the ‘captive’ costs would increase resulting in a lower
fleet) are expected to be ‘off the shelf’ – BCR without WEIs of 1.4.
standard designs that are tried and tested
across Europe and therefore lower risk. 7.4.8 We have in our central case assumed
However, the classic compatible fleet is the project is entirely Government funded.
expected to be a bespoke design as they In practice we would expect scope to
would need to run on UK gauge railways. gain private sector contributions, as HS2
As such we assume that these would cost would open up new opportunities for
around 50% more and have doubled the development and growth in and around
allowance for risk and optimism bias. This station locations in particular. Any such
reflects the greater fixed set up costs in contributions would reduce the costs to
design, and the greater uncertainty. Government, but also (since it is a cost
to the private sector) reduce the benefits.
7.4.5 However, with a wider network – Even though it is not ‘free money’, such
potentially leading to larger orders of contributions would tend to improve the
classic compatible trains – it may be BCR of the scheme as the benefits per £1
possible to drive both cost efficiencies of Government spending will increase with
and mitigate risk. We have therefore lower costs to Government. A contribution
tested the impact of using the same cost of £2 billion, for example, would increase
estimates for the captive and classic the BCR excluding WEIs to 1.7.
compatible fleet. With this assumption,
the BCR would rise to 1.9 without WEIs.
7.5 Scheme Opening Year
7.4.6 The costs of operating and maintaining
the scheme depend on assumptions 7.5.1 Our analysis is based on the assumption
about growth in electricity costs, wages that HS2 would open in 2026. This
and productivity across the transport represents the fastest realistic timescale
network. Our central assumptions include for a London to Birmingham Line. If the
substantial growth in overall costs, scheme opened later than this, the BCR
including a near doubling of electricity would increase – reflecting demand
costs (in line with DECC forecasts). growth and the fact that there would be
We have also applied 41% optimism more passengers from the opening of the
bias on top of these, which we consider scheme. Figure 6 below indicates how the
conservative given that there is worldwide BCR changes as the opening year of the
experience of operating high speed rail. scheme is pushed back. By 2030, the BCR
excluding WEIs would have risen above
7.4.7 We have considered a range around this. 2.0. This would mean delaying the second
Our lower cost estimate reflects optimism phase to Manchester and Leeds which
bias at 10% and a slower increase in could otherwise be open by 2032‑33.
53
7 The results of testing our assumptions
Effectst tle
Figure 26 –Graph
Figure on sty
the eBCR of HS2 opening later
3.5
3.0
2.5
2.0
BCR
1.5
1.0
0.5
0.0
26
28
30
32
34
36
38
40
20
20
20
20
20
20
20
20
Opening Year
54
8. Conclusions and
Further Information
8.1.1 There is a strong case for a high speed been weighed up against the capital and
rail network based on a Y configuration operating costs of the scheme over 60
connecting London, Birmingham, years using transport appraisal guidance
Manchester and Leeds – the last via set out by the Department for Transport.
the East Midlands and South Yorkshire. The result of this is a BCR for HS2 (London
A cautious strategic level assessment of – West Midlands) of 2.0. This reflects our
the Y configuration shows a BCR of 2.6, ‘central case’ assumptions. If we exclude the
including an estimate for WEIs. A high Wider Economic Impacts the BCR is 1.6.
speed line between London and
Birmingham would form the first stage Further Information
on that network. As a stand alone
8.1.4 Further information available as part of the
proposition, this still offers a positive
public consultation can be found:
economic case on its own terms as well
as in the context of a wider network. • Online at http://highspeedrail.dft.gov.uk;
and
8.1.2 In the context of significant increases
in demand for travel, especially long • At roadshow events along the London
distance, and hence overcrowding of – West Midlands line of route.
the rail and road networks, HS2 would
bring significant transport user benefits 8.1.5 Documents of particular interest might be:
to regions across England and Scotland,
served both directly and indirectly (through • The main consultation document,
the link to the classic network and through for an overview of the Government’s
released capacity). It would also produce proposed national high speed rail
benefits to users of the WCML as well as strategy, sustainability issues, the line
HS2 passengers. There would also be of route, and how to respond to the
Wider Economic Impacts, not all of which consultation; and
have been possible to quantify, and other
• The Appraisal of Sustainability (AoS)
impacts on economic development,
and a non-technical summary.
regeneration and employment which
are largely positive. The Appraisal of 8.1.6 Further technical information is available at
Sustainability published alongside this www.hs2.org.uk:
document provides an appraisal of
these effects and all other sustainability • Question and Answer write up from
considerations covering environmental HS2 Ltd public technical seminars;
and social issues.
• Modelling technical notes; and
8.1.3 The benefits (including the Wider
Economic Impacts and other impacts), • Previous HS2 Ltd technical
converted into monetary terms, have publications.
55
9. Glossary of Economic Terms
Benefit Cost Ratio (BCR) The net benefit of a scheme divided by the net
cost to Government.
56
Economic Case for HS2
Retail Price Index (RPI) An index of prices over time based on a broad
basket of consumer goods and services. It is
calculated and published monthly by the UK
Office of National Statistics (www.ons.gov.uk)
and it provides a broad measure of inflation.
Wider Economic Impacts (WEIs) These include the benefits from improved
linkages between firms and their workers,
which can lead to economies of scale and other
efficiencies. Department for Transport’s guidance
for measuring these benefits is not yet finalised,
and we therefore present BCRs with and without
these impacts.
57
Appendix 1
58
Figure A1 – Service specification for HS2 (London – West Midlands)
59
Economic Case for HS2
Appendix 1
Service specification
assumptions for the
Y network
Figure A2 depicts the train service specification
assumptions used to calculate the costs and
benefits of a Y network. This illustrates the
services potentially available using the Y network
in any given hour when the Y network opens.
The services are grouped together by destination
(left to right in the figure) for ease of presentation;
in practice, services to all destinations would be
spread throughout each hour.
60
Glasgow Central Newcastle
Darlington
Preston
York
Wigan
Manchester
Leeds
Manchester
Liverpool Outskirts
Lime Street (not modelled) South Yorkshire
Warrington
Crewe
Stafford
Birmingham Birmingham
Curzon Curzon
Street Street
Birmingham Birmingham
Interchange Interchange
Key
Intermediate station on existing network.
Destination station on existing network.
HS2 station.
HS2 service on HS2 network.
HS2 service on existing network.
Peak Hours Only HS2 service on HS2 network.
Peak Hours Only HS2 service on existing network.
61
Economic Case for HS2