The Bill for phase two of the HS2 high speed network, which covers a 52 mile extension route from Crewe–Manchester extension, was submitted to Parliament this week.
And it also includes details of the train stabling facility which will be located in Annandale, on an 80 hectare site between Kirkpatrick Fleming and Gretna Green, near Cranberry Farm – pictured above.
It will feature 14 stabling sides, designed to accommodate up to 28 trains that are 200 metres in length.
There will be two connections to the West Coast Mainline to accommodate trains entering and leaving service at Carlisle (where HS2 trains will split from 400m trains to 200m trains for onward service to Scotland); and a training room, meeting room and storage facilities.
Furthermore, the depot is expected to provide a jobs boost through the creation of around 100 permanent jobs.
HS2 Minister Andrew Stephenson MP this week confirmed the depot plans will be included in the Phase 2b Western Leg scheme design.
He also responded to the 2020 public consultation, where communities in Dumfries and Galloway were asked to give their views on the proposals.
Commenting on the latest developments, Dumfriesshire MP David Mundell said: “I’m delighted this Bill sets out plans for the HS2 depot in Dumfries
and Galloway, creating 100 permanent jobs locally.
“As well as this economic boost for the local area, extending HS2 further north will bring much welcome improvements to journey times for passengers travelling between Scotland and England.”
Meanwhile, residents and business owners in the region are now being encouraged to have their say on two key documents that accompany the Bill. A public consultation, seeking views on the Environmental Statement and the Equality Impact Assessment, will begin in April. The aim of the consultation is to ensure that Parliament is aware of the public’s views on the environmental impacts of the scheme before they vote on the principle of the Bill at Second Reading.
Leonie Dubois, HS2’s head of consultation and engagement said: “Communities in Dumfries and Galloway have played a pivotal role in helping us reach this milestone moment, and I encourage them to get involved and have their say in the latest public consultation.”
For more information, visit www.hs2.org.uk/crewe-manchester.
Once fully operational, the HS2 network will serve communities in Lockerbie, Motherwell, Glasgow and Edinburgh, as trains leave the dedicated HS2 track and join the existing West Coast Mainline at Carlisle.
Officials say the investment plugs “towns and cities all the way up to Edinburgh into the spine of Britain’s new high-speed transport network” and that it will cut journey times between Glasgow and the Capital and Edinburgh and Birmingham by 49 and 43 minutes respectively, as well as quadrupling high speed capacity on trains to Scotland.
