HS2 Phase 2 route confirmed and Phase 1 works begin 17 Nov 2016

The second phase of high-speed rail connectivity in the UK, after the link from the Channel Tunnel connection with the Continent to London, has taken a step closer to construction with appointment of three joint ventures to deliver essential early works ahead of main civil engineering construction of Phase 1 of the new dedicated HS2 rail line between London and Birmingham and announcement of the preferred route for Phase 2 of the line to extend services from Birmingham to Manchester and Leeds.

Announcement of the preferred route for Phase 2 of the project removes much of the uncertainty over how the alignment will affect local communities. The one area of continuing debate is the location of the station and alignment of the connection to the city of Sheffield on the branch from Birmingham to Leeds.

The Government's preferred option is for the main HS2 route to run east of Sheffield, with a separate spur to take passengers to Sheffield city centre (Fig 1). This would cost about £1 billion less than alternatives of taking the line through Sheffield or to a new station located outside Sheffield near the M1 motorway. A final decision on the different options is expected next year.

Another spur will take HS2 to a new station at Manchester Airport on the line from Birmingham to Manchester.

The first phase of the £56 billion railway is due to open in December 2026. The second two-branch phase to Manchester and Leeds is due to be completed by 2032-33.

With the route now chosen, the Government will progress Phase 2 through the parliamentary approval process.

A compensation agreement for those property owners affected by the project is to be calculated by the Government at 110% of the value the property had there been no HS2 impact. The compensation agreement applies to homes located within 60m of the route although it is reported this could be extended in certain circumstances.

Communities along the proposed route are voicing objections including residents of the newly built housing estate which is likely to be demolished to make way for the new line.

As debate over the final route of the second phase of the project continues, Jim Crawford, Managing Director of HS2 Ltd Construction said that confirmation of the early works contracts on Phase 1 was an important milestone for the overall project. “It is the start of construction,” he said. “Over the coming years, our new partners will deliver the essential preparatory work we need to deliver the main construction programme.”

The UK Government gave the go ahead for a dedicated high-speed rail network to the north of the country in January 2012. The Y-shaped rail links will provide direct, dedicated, high capacity, high-speed rail services between London and Birmingham and on to Leeds and Manchester to increase capacity on the UK rail services and boost the UK economy.