What is HS2
Building HS2 will support over 34,000 jobs
The investment in HS2 flows back into the British economy with thousands of businesses from all over the country getting contracts and able to expand and create more local jobs.
What is HS2?
HS2 is Britain’s new high speed rail line being built from London to the North-West, with HS2 trains linking the biggest cities in Scotland with Manchester, Birmingham and London.
HS2 is the largest infrastructure project in Europe and the most important economic and social regeneration project in decades.
HS2 will integrate with new lines and upgrades across Britain’s rail system to deliver faster travel to many towns and cities across Britain not directly on the HS2 route, including Liverpool, Sheffield, Leeds, Nottingham, Derby.
170 miles of new high-speed line is already under construction between Crewe and London, employing around 25,000 people. In total, the Government is planning over 260 miles of new high speed line across the country.
HS2 is being built to the highest standards, using world-class engineering to protect the countryside, protect local communities, and cut carbon.
The construction of the new railway is split into three phases:
- Phase One linking London and the West Midlands;
- Phase 2a linking the West Midlands and the North via Crewe; and
- Phase 2b completing the railway to Manchester, the East Midlands and the North.
HS2 Benefits
Read our latest Benefits Update on how we are delivering to businesses and individuals across Great Britain.
HS2 Project Update
Hear from CEO Mark Thurston giving an update on the project and the scale of progress delivering Britain's new railway.
Phase One: London to West Midlands
HS2 trains will run from London to the West Midlands, where they will re-join the existing West Coast Main Line.
Phase 2a: West Midlands to Crewe
HS2 trains will run from the West Midlands to Crewe, helping towns and cities across north western England, north Wales and Scotland.
Phase 2b: Crewe to Manchester
The proposed Western Leg will see HS2 trains run between Crewe and Manchester, serving station on route to Scotland.
Phase 2b: West Midlands to Leeds
The proposed Eastern Leg is Subject to consultation and based largely on the existing safeguarded route.
HS2 and the Integrated Rail Plan
The Government has published an Integrated Rail Plan, which sets out plans to deliver rail investment for the North and Midlands.
HS2 and funding
The Government has committed funding for the delivery of Phase One and 2a, whilst funding for Phase 2b is under review by the Government.
Further information
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Please take a few minutes to give us feedback, we are committed to listening to the views of the communities that are affected by HS2.