We welcome the publication of the Government’s Transport Decarbonisation Plan, in particular its recognition of the important role that modal shift in favour of low carbon transport, alongside important investments including rail electrification, will play in the journey to net zero. The publication is a useful step in that journey, Read more…
The process to procure the construction contractor to build the HS2 Interchange Station has started with bidders asked to put themselves forward for the £370m contract. Interchange Station will be one of the best connected stations on the high-speed network in the Midlands, sitting as an integral part of the growth Read more…
HS2 Ltd has launched the 2,000 tonne tunnel boring machine (TBM) ‘Florence’ from it’s South Portal site next to the M25 in Hertfordshire, the first of 10 giant tunnelling machines that will dig 64 miles of tunnels between London and the West Midlands. Named after nursing pioneer Florence Nightingale – Read more…
The latest in our ‘In Conversation With…’ virtual event series focused on the skills and jobs that will be created over the lifetime of the HS2 project. Toby Perkins MP, Shadow Apprentices and Life-Long Learning Minister, and Neil Robertson, Chief Executive of the National Skills Academy for Rail were joined Read more…
A survey of SME suppliers in the rail, construction, and engineering sectors has found overwhelming support for HS2’s Eastern Leg, with those currently working on HS2 contracts predicting severe impacts on their businesses should it be curtailed. The survey, co-ordinated by the High Speed Rail Group (HSRG) and the Railway Read more…
Midlands-based company Collins Earthworks has completed excavating the north portal site of Long Itchington Wood Tunnel, ready for the launch of the tunnel boring machine that will dig under the ancient woodland in Warwickshire. The company, with headquarters in Ripley, Derbyshire, is contracted to our members, HS2’s main works contractor BBV Read more…
HS2 is beginning the process of building the project’s central control centre and maintenance depot, which is a real milestone and a huge long-term opportunity for Birmingham’s Washwood Heath area. With main works civils construction now well underway, HS2 Ltd is putting the specialist team in place to support operation Read more…
International High Speed Rail Voices examines the benefits, opportunities and extent of international high speed rail, with contributions drawn from across the infrastructure industry. The report, which is the latest in our Voices series, demonstrates the transformational role high speed rail is playing in revolutionising travel across the globe, driving Read more…
The High Speed Rail Group has dispatched an open letter calling on the Prime Minister to prioritise connectivity for UK regions. The letter marks the one year anniversary of the Prime Minister committing to proceed with HS2, and comes the day after Royal Assent was formally granted for HS2 Phase 2a. Read more…
It’s National Apprenticeship Week – and the theme for 2021 is “Build the Future” – which resonates well with the high speed rail family. It is estimated that HS2 will create around 25,000 jobs during construction as well as 2,000 apprenticeships, as well as supporting growth in the wider economy, Read more…