HS2

HS2 finally given green light in overwhelming Parliament vote

Phase one for the HS2 project has today finally been given royal assent in Parliament, meaning that work on the long-awaited high-speed rail network can now officially go ahead.

With construction set to begin in the spring, today sees the launch of £70m worth of schemes for communities along the route between Birmingham and London – from Euston station up to the still-to-be-built Birmingham Curzon terminal which the line will pass through.

The High Speed Rail (London – West Midlands) Hybrid Bill, which acted as planning permission for HS2, received overwhelming support from MPs, being passed 399 to 42 in favour in its third reading, whilst the Lords had voted 386 to a mere 26.

Speaking after royal assent was given, transport secretary Chris Grayling expressed his excitement for HS2, saying: “Getting the go-ahead to start building HS2 is a massive boost to the UK’s future economic prosperity and a further clear signal that Britain is open for business.

“HS2 will be the world’s most advanced passenger railway and the backbone of our rail network. Royal assent is a major step towards significantly increasing capacity on our congested railways for both passengers and freight; improving connections between the biggest cities and regions; generating jobs, skills and economic growth and helping build an economy that works for all.

“By investing in infrastructure the government is seizing the opportunity provided by leaving the EU to build a more global Britain. We will now press ahead with constructing the railway while continuing to ensure affected communities get appropriate support and are treated with fairness, compassion and respect.”

HS2 is anticipated to support wider growth in the economy by creating 100,000 jobs, since from 2026 passengers will be able to use high-speed services every day between London and Birmingham, with services later travelling onwards north to Manchester, Glasgow, Liverpool, Preston and Wigan.

By 2033, it is hoped that HS2 will go into the centre of Manchester and Leeds and then onwards to Darlington, Newcastle and Edinburgh.

Sir David Higgins, chairman of HS2, argued that achieving royal assent for the first phase with “such significant parliamentary support” was a monumental step forward in transforming rail travel in Britain.

“We have a long journey ahead of us to build the railway and secure permission for phase two to make sure that the full benefits of HS2 are realised,” added Sir David. “This journey will see businesses right along the route benefit from greater access to the skills, markets and professional services they need to succeed in today's global market.”

He also reassured the public that HS2 remained committed to mitigating the environmental impacts whilst talking to individual communities who had to make sacrifices “to enable a 21^st century railway network to be built in Britain”.

The government had also paid out compensation to councils affected by HS2, including Camden Council, which received £3.5m through a community fund as reparations to replace homes that will be lost, as well as for noise insulation and other works.

Cllr Sarah Hayward, the council’s leader, said: “Together with residents, community groups and businesses, we’ve challenged the HS2 Bill every step of the way to limit the worst effects of what will be nearly two decades of construction disruption for Camden.

“After years of the council fighting for fairer compensation for Camden residents, the government has finally agreed to offer compensation that is ‘fair, reasonable and proportionate’ to those living in urban areas – we now need to see the details of this new scheme as soon as possible.

“But we know that residents and businesses will still face daily disruption. Hundreds will see their homes demolished, and thousands more will be impacted by construction noise and up to 800 extra two-way lorry movements every day during busiest periods.”

Cllr Hayward also emphasised that although the council would prefer for the scheme not to go ahead, the priority in the future will be in holding HS2 Ltd to account and ensure the railway’s impact on Camden is reduced.

Widespread support from leaders and suppliers

Other rail authorities spoke of their excitement for HS2’s official green light. High Speed Rail Leaders (HSRIL), for example, joined the transport minister and hundreds of apprentices at Euston station to welcome in HS2.

“We are delighted the first phase of HS2 has received royal assent, and it now means HSRIL members can get on and start building Britain’s new railway,” a HSRIL spokesperson said.

“With so many enthusiastic and skilled young people ready to help build and deliver the first phase of HS2, we look forward to nurturing their talent and developing world-class engineers and experts.

“The project will act as a huge economic boost to Britain, employing 27,000 people by the end of the decade. On top of that, 70% of the jobs will be outside of London.”

Paul Plummer, chief executive of the Rail Delivery Group, agreed that it was a “major milestone” for both the project and Britain as a whole.

“The new high-speed line will boost north-south links, add much-needed space on the railway for more and faster trains, and support economic growth,” said Plummer.

“HS2 will be an important part of a bigger and better railway, and the rail industry is working hard to ensure HS2 is seamlessly integrated with the existing network as one railway when the new line opens.”

There was also excitement from the project’s current and potential future suppliers. Alstom UK & Ireland’s managing director Nick Crossfield said: “At Alstom, we live and breathe high-speed rail and it is clear to us that HS2 is the most important investment in Britain’s railways for over 100 years.

“It will bring huge benefits to passengers. But even more crucial is the legacy of skills, apprenticeships and jobs it will create, all over the country.”

And Jo Hensher, bid director for HS2 rolling stock at Siemens, argued the company has long been a supporter of the project, with today’s news presenting an opportunity to “set a new benchmark for the passenger experience of rail travel in the future and truly transform connectivity”.

“Royal assent also gives companies like Siemens the confidence to make the necessary investments in their local supply chains and skills base to make HS2 happen,” added Hensher. “HS2 is also a fantastic opportunity to attract more young people into the rail industry and to expand apprenticeship training.”

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