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UK government gives HS2 go-ahead

Published: 10/01/2012 - Filed under: News »

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The government has given the go-ahead for a new high-speed rail link between London and Birmingham, although services are not expected to start until 2026, and legal action is expected from opposition to the project.

Announcing the plans Transport Secretary Justine Greening said the new network would be built in two phases, with the first seeing the construction of a new 140-mile line between London and Birmingham, scheduled for completion by 2026. The new line will enable trains to travel at up to 250mph, cutting journey times between the two cities to 45 minutes.

A second phase will see lines built from Birmingham to Leeds and Manchester by 2033, as well as a spur connecting Heathrow airport to the high-speed network. Greening said a formal consultation on the routes for the second phase will begin in early 2014.

The total cost of the project is set at just under £33 billion, with the government claiming the network will bring economic benefits of between £47 and £59 billion over 60 years.

But legal action is likely to be taken against the plans by environmental groups concerned by the impact of the building of the line through wildlife habitats, and there is considerable opposition from communities which will be affected by the construction of the line.

In an attempt to appease this opposition the government has announced that 22.5 miles of the line between London and Birmingham will run in tunnels, with a total of 79 miles of the 140-mile line running in either tunnels or cuttings.

Plans for HS2 were first introduced under the Labour government, and have been carried through by the Conservation-Lib Dem coalition. High-Speed One (HS1) is the name given to the 67-mile rail link between London and the Channel Tunnel.

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COMMENTS » 

azidane - 10/01/2012 13:33

Why is it that infrastructure projects in the UK take so long and costs so ridiculously much?

I think the govt seriously needs to look at the red tape and bureaucracy involved in major infrastructure projects as I am sure that a massive chunk of the cost goes to consultants, lawyers, quangos etc and I dont think the govt is getting the best possible deal for us, the tax payer.

It says its due to finish in 2026, that is 14 years for a 140 mile line, 10 miles per year, less than one mile per month. This in contrast to a 30 story hotel in China which was built in an astonishing 15 days, ok China's govt does do things differently to say the least, but it just goes to show

edi-traveller - 10/01/2012 18:35

That's my main area of concern. There are arguments either way - but how can it possibly take 14 years to build something like this? Why not employ 10 times as many people and do it quicker.

Still as an Edinburgh resident who has seen 5 years of Tram workings and less than a mile of track laid so far - I think 14 years is optimistic. It will be over budget and over due.

HonestCrew - 11/01/2012 21:42

...all this to get from London to Birmingham 20 minutes quicker. (!)

What will people do with all this extra time on their hands?

TerryMcManus24 - 12/01/2012 13:11

22.5 miles of the line between London and Birmingham will run in tunnels, with a total of 79 miles of the 140-mile line running in either tunnels or cuttings....CRAZY

Half the route will be in a tunnel to pacify a couple of local NIMBYS at a cost of.......$$$$Ms...ouch....its our taxes so why not?

Looks like money being no object so would it not have been more futuristic...Ha Ha...to have built a tunnel the whole route and install 500 mile /hr vac. MAGLEVs.

Should imagine also in fact doubt that by the time this project is completed..in about 20 years time they will then be considered too slow and someone will say...why didnt we...etc....

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