HS2 high speed rail link launches NW public consultations

A series of public consultations about planning for the HS2 high speed railway between the Midlands, Manchester and Leeds were announced today.

The 10-week consultations, which close on 21 December, will give communities the opportunity to formally respond to HS2 Ltd’s designs and proposed mitigation measures for the Phase 2b route.

The public consultations will be supported by a programme of community events which will see teams from HS2 Ltd visit locations in the North West to talk to people about the design plans and the benefits that Britain’s new high speed railway will bring to the region.

Events are scheduled to take place in a range of locations, including Middlewich, Golborne, Warrington, Manchester, Northwich and Knutsford.

Leonie Dubois, HS2’s head of consultation and engagement said: “HS2 is coming to the North West and the region will reap significant benefits as a result.

“High speed rail will play a crucial role in rebalancing Britain’s economy; driving business growth, stimulating investment and creating jobs right across the country.

“Through the public consultations, we are providing a more detailed account of how we propose to build the railway and minimise its impacts during construction and operation.

“We actively encourage people to have their say on the plans we have published today.”

Construction of the phase one route between Birmingham and London is now well under way with 7,000 jobs already supported through the project.

When construction peaks, as the full network progresses, that figure is forecast to rise to 30,000.

As an HS2 destination, the North West will benefit significantly from the jobs and business growth that HS2 will bring to the region.

So far, 91 companies in the North West have already been awarded contracts working on the project, and that figure is expected to increase significantly as plans for phase two of the railway progress.