UK government gives HS2 rail network the go-ahead
The UK government has given HS2 the go-ahead after concluding it can deliver a sufficient rate of financial return and mitigate impacts on local communities and the environment.
High Speed 2 (HS2), Britain’s second national high-speed rail network, is expected to increase capacity and cut journey times from 2026 when phase one is complete.
Justine Greening, transport secretary, said: ‘A new high-speed rail network will provide Britain with the additional train seats, connections and speed to stay ahead of the congestion challenge and help create jobs, growth and prosperity for the entire country.’
When built, HS2 will be a Y-shaped rail network, with stations in London, Birmingham, Leeds, Manchester, Sheffield and the East Midlands linked by high-speed trains conveying up to 26,000 people each hour at speeds of up to 250mph.
High-speed trains will also connect with the existing West Coast and East Coast main lines to serve passengers beyond the HS2 network in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Newcastle, Durham, York, Darlington, Liverpool, Preston, Wigan and Lancaster.
It will be built in two phases. The first will see the construction of a new 140-mile line between London and Birmingham by 2026. It will also include a connection to Europe via the Channel Tunnel and eventually a direct link to Heathrow Airport.
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