News

• Major milestone for Europe’s largest infrastructure project as it moves from enabling works to full construction following Government’s approval for Notice to Proceed in April

• HS2 Ltd and its Tier One contractors expect to recruit for around 22,000 roles in the coming years to build the Phase One route – offering people a path back into work after the pandemic

• HS2 Ltd CEO Mark Thurston: “the reality of high speed journeys joining up Britain’s biggest cities in the North and Midlands and using that connectivity to help level up the country has just moved a step closer”

• NEW HS2 animations, infographics, drone footage and more available at this link: https://visual.library.hs2.org.uk/p/share/HoMPX6th7pT2

HS2 Ltd has strengthened its partnership with charitable organisation The Social Mobility Foundation (SMF) in a bid to help support the ‘covid generation’. One young apprentice goes from HS2 work experience to an engineering apprenticeship with Dyson.

Today (Friday 28 August) Westbury Parish Council in Buckinghamshire has become the latest to benefit from the HS2 Community and Environment Fund, as it is announced that they have been awarded £40,574 for a series of community space improvements.

The new landmark station, set to be built in Solihull, was praised for its green credentials as Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council approved the design on 26 August. Mayor of the West Midlands, Andy Street: “It’s brilliant news that the Interchange plans have been approved by Solihull Council, and I look forward to working with both the Council and HS2 Ltd to make sure we maximise the potential of this site.”

Tuesday sees very first rail freight delivery at HS2’s Washwood Heath site in Birmingham. 15,000 freight trains set to move 10 million tonnes of aggregate for HS2 over next ten years. Every freight delivery replaces 70 lorries - dramatically cutting carbon emissions of HS2’s construction.

Today (Monday 24 August) Three Rivers District Council has granted planning permission for a new landscaped play area for Maple Cross JMI school in Maple Cross near Rickmansworth, bringing a request to HS2 from a local pupil to life.