HS2 gets green light to enter construction phase
The Government has given formal approval for the HS2 project to begin the construction phase, saying that work can proceed in line with coronavirus safety guidelines despite the national lockdown.
It has told HS2 that it can issue notice to proceed to the four main civils works contractors on the route between London and Birmingham.
The work will start straight away, beginning with preparatory works and detailed design.
The announcement follows the decision in February by the prime minister to proceed with the project after years of delay and a review warning that its cost could spiral to £106bn.
HS2 Minister Andrew Stephenson said: “While the Government’s top priority is rightly to combat the spread of coronavirus, protect the NHS and save lives, we cannot delay work on our long-term plan to level up the country.
“HS2 will be the spine of the country’s transport network, boosting capacity and connectivity while also re-balancing opportunity fairly across our towns and cities.
“Following the decision earlier this year to proceed with the project, this next step provides thousands of construction workers and businesses across the country with certainty at a time when they need it, and means that work can truly begin on delivering this transformational project.”
HS2 Ltd chief executive Mark Thurston said: “In these difficult times, today’s announcement represents both an immediate boost to the construction industry – and the many millions of UK jobs that the industry supports – and an important investment in Britain’s future: levelling up the country, improving our transport network and changing the way we travel to help bring down carbon emissions and improve air quality for the next generation.”
