HS2 replaced with Dacia Sanderos

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【Summary】The HS2 rail link between London and Birmingham is being scrapped and replaced with a train of Dacia Sanderos, saving billions of pounds. Although the Sandero train won't be as fast as HS2, it will have exclusive use of the hard shoulder on the M1 and M6. The government believes this cost-effective solution will make commuters forget about the initially promised journey times. The funds saved could potentially be used for the Phase 2 leg to Manchester.

FutureCar Staff Sep 30, 2023 6:17 AM PT

The government has announced that the HS2 rail link between London and Birmingham will be scrapped and replaced with a train of Dacia Sanderos. This decision is expected to significantly reduce the project's cost and potentially free up funds for the Phase 2 leg to Manchester. Although the Sandero train will not be able to achieve the high speeds initially promised by HS2, passengers will have the advantage of using the hard shoulder along the M1 and M6, allowing them to mock drivers stuck in traffic.

The transport chiefs hope that this change will make commuters and voters forget about the originally promised journey times of 52 minutes between the two cities. According to an insider, replacing HS2 with a train of Sanderos solves many problems. It will be completed under budget, without the need to destroy green belt areas, and maintaining a Sandero is much easier compared to a state-of-the-art train carriage. However, there will be no food or drinks service on the Sandero train, but considering the ticket price, passengers may not be able to afford these amenities anyway.

When asked about the possibility of proceeding with the leg to Manchester, the insider expressed uncertainty due to the need to fix potholes in the north. The cost of a spare wheel for a Sandero is currently £300, so the government is calculating which option is the most cost-effective.