The new route between Derbyshire and West Yorkshire partly follows the M1 and M18 motorways and includes the possibility of a northern junction that would allow trains to run between Sheffield and Leeds city centres using HS2 lines.
According to HS2 Ltd, this more easterly route would see 35 residential and 16 commercial demolitions, including 16 residential properties at the newly built Shimmer estate in Mexborough near Doncaster.
In the introduction to the Government’s Command Paper, the transport secretary said: 'My Department and HS2 Ltd will continue to work closely with those affected communities and their local authorities up and down the line of route and I expect people to be treated with fairness, compassion and respect.’
Paul Plummer, chief executive of the Rail Delivery Group said: 'Rail companies are working together to ensure that HS2 – a vital addition to the more modern railway Britain needs – is integrated seamlessly into the network.
'New high-speed lines will add much-needed space for more and faster trains as we invest to improve now and for the long term, connecting the country, creating long-term high-skilled jobs and making journeys better.'
The other route changes confirmed on Monday are:
- relocating the Western Leg Rolling Stock Depot (RSD) – moving the RSD from a site near Golborne to a site north of Crewe between the A530 Nantwich Road and the West Coast Main Line (WCML) near Wimboldsley
- changing the alignment over a 26km length of route in the Middlewich-Northwich area of Cheshire, raising the route as it passes through the Cheshire salt caverns to avoid brining and gas storage infrastructure
- changing the alignment of the route on the approach to Manchester Piccadilly station to improve the operational efficiency of the station and avoid direct residential impacts and a primary school
- changing the route near East Midlands Airport, so the route follows the eastern side of the A42 more closely, avoids a tunnel under the airport, does not cross the A42, and reduces the impacts on some communities
- locating the route through Long Eaton on a high level viaduct through the town immediately adjacent to the existing low-level rail corridor
Mr Grayling said he had decided not to proceed with a proposed change of route at Measham, Leicestershire, which would have seen the alignment move to the east of Measham, away from the A42. Instead, he backed a modified version of the 2013 Preferred Route to the west of Measham.
He also announced a consulation on a further change – a possible alternative site for the Eastern Leg Rolling Stock Depot.
