Following the government’s decision to formally lifting the safeguarding directions for High Speed 2 (HS2) Phase 2a (between the West Midlands and Crewe), we have released the following statement: Today’s decision to remove the safeguarding of Phase 2a land from Birmingham-Crewe is a mistake. Our research shows that if the land Read more…
A team of 90 specialist engineers has completed the assembly of HS2’s giant tunnel boring machine (TBM) which will dig the second bore of the 3.5 mile Bromford Tunnel into Birmingham. In an assembly operation to move sections of the machine into a 12-metre deep launch pit, two 600 tonne Read more…
A viaduct in Northamptonshire has become the first on the HS2 project to have all its deck beams installed as work on the project continues to ramp up between London and the West Midlands. The 163m long Highfurlong Brook Viaduct, near the village of Aston le Walls, is one of Read more…
Our submission to the Public Accounts Committee focuses on the importance of ensuring the HS2 line terminates at Euston without delay, without compromising HS2’s operational integrity and without burdening the project with ill-judged private sector funding arrangements. It also sets out why abandoning HS2 Phase 2a would represent poor value Read more…
The latest quarterly data from HS2 shows the scale of the economic boost created by the project with over £11.5bn worth of tier two contracts awarded by HS2’s construction partners to businesses of all sizes, in every UK region. The figures highlight the extent to which investment in the project Read more…
Today’s news is a devastating blow to our industry and our whole economy. For 15 years we have worked with the government to develop this project – their project – taking it from a concept to construction. Companies have invested in people, skills and equipment on the back of it Read more…
HS2 delivers economic growth HS2 is essential for regeneration and job creation, as well as improving Britain’s international competitiveness – all of which bring higher levels of economic productivity and growth. HS2 can transform Midlands and Northern cities by effectively bringing them ‘closer’ to each other. This will make it Read more…
Dear Prime Minister and Chancellor, We write as the representatives of 21 businesses, who collectively employ thousands of people in the UK, to urge you to end the speculation and recommit to HS2 from Manchester to Euston. All the companies signing below are either based here or have substantial and Read more…
The High Speed Rail Group undertook some new research recently which shows residents of Leeds believe the government’s ability to handle major infrastructure projects is inadequate and the city is falling behind other comparable regions in the South. The focus groups were commissioned following the publication of the Government’s Integrated Read more…
The first of 38 steel beams that will form the innovative low-carbon structure of HS2’s Wendover Dean Viaduct have completed their 560-mile journey to site ahead of the start of deck construction. Travelling at night to reduce disruption for the local community, the 25m long steel beams were transported on Read more…