"HS2 is a state-of-the-art, high-speed line critical for the UK’s low-carbon transport future. It will provide much-needed rail capacity across the country, and is integral to rail projects in the North and Midlands – helping rebalance the UK economy."
HS2 official Partner to CompeteFor
HS2 is Britain’s new high-speed, zero carbon railway being built from the North West to the South East. It is Europe’s largest infrastructure project and over 2,400 businesses have already delivered work on this national endeavour.
The first phase of the project alone should create 400,000 contract opportunities in the supply chain.
HS2 Minister, Huw Merriman MP at the Colne Valley viaduct, January 2023
170 miles of new high-speed line is already under construction between Crewe and London, employing nearly 30,000 people. In total, the Government is planning over 260 miles of new high speed line across the country, including:
HS2 Phase One – West Midlands to London
HS2 Phase 2a – West Midlands to Crewe
HS2 Phase 2b – Crewe to Manchester
HS2 East – West Midlands to East Midlands
Northern Powerhouse Rail (with a high-speed link between Warrington and Yorkshire that relies on HS2 Phase 2b infrastructure)
HS2 will begin running between 2029 and 2033 when Phase One is complete and services will expand as new sections of the network are built.
There are three main benefits of HS2:
Connectivity – better transport links between our cities and regions is bringing more investment to the Midlands and North, helping to level up the country.
Capacity – taking inter-city trains off the existing rail network will free up more space for commuter and freight services, helping to relieve overcrowding and take lorries off the road.
Carbon – HS2 will be the zero carbon alternative for long distance travel, helping tackle climate change by reducing emissions from the transport sector, Britain’s largest emitter.