HS2 gets green light to extend line to Crewe

Plans to extend High Speed 2 (HS2) to Crewe have been given the official green light.

Legislation needed for the next phase of the high speed line has now passed through both Houses of Parliament and has achieved Royal Assent.

This paves the way for further development and eventually construction of the line from the West Midlands to Crewe.

Phase 2a is estimated to cost £14bn. It runs for 57km from the West Midlands to Crewe and will form the first section of the western leg of HS2 phase 2, which will eventually run to Manchester. Phase 2a interfaces with phase 1 - from London to Birmingham - and with the existing West Coast Mainline, south of Crewe.

The route is largely rural, passing through farmland, but also includes residential areas and towns. It also passes through a number of local authority districts, including Stafford, Stoke-on-Trent and Cheshire.

Along the route there is around 2.5km of bored tunnel, 7km of viaducts, 19M.m3 of embankments, 20M.m3 of cuttings, 42 structures, overbridge and underbridges, and one combined Infrastructure maintenance depot.

HS2 Ltd chief executive Mark Thurston said: “Parliament’s approval for extending HS2 beyond the West Midlands to the North is a clear sign that MPs recognise the enormous potential of this scheme and continue to give their strong support.

“As the first major railway built in the North for over 100 years, HS2 will spur massive economic growth for our towns and cities, help to level up the country, and provide cleaner, greener public transport for millions. As construction starts, this new phase of work will very quickly support 5,000 jobs in the North, with many more in the supply chain, further cementing HS2’s critical role in Britain’s economic recovery from the pandemic.”

HS2 Ltd launched the procurement process for the first Phase 2a major civils contract in November.

Known as "Early Civils Work – Package 2" (ECW2), the £50M programme includes a range of enabling works designed to reduce disruption during the main build stage of the project. This includes major highways works and associated utility diversions as well as a range of environmental and other surveys along the 58km route.

The work will be the first major preparatory activity to be carried out for the high speed rail line beyond its first phase, which is now being built between the West Midlands and London.

HS2 Ltd has already begun a detailed programme of ground investigation along the 2a route and has also confirmed that the latest package – worth £25M to £30M – has been awarded to Balfour Beatty.

The ECW2 package will awarded via the government’s existing Construction Works and Associated Services framework, streamlining the procurement process, benefiting HS2 and potential bidders with contracts expected to be awarded in early 2021.

As part of amendments added to the Phase 2a bill by the House of Lords, HS2 Ltd must consult with locals along the route about proposals to reopen abandoned railways which could connect with the line.

Following the government’s notice to proceed in April 2020, main construction on Phase 1 between London and the West Midlands began in September. Ecology and enabling work is currently underway and the civils contracts will start in spring, with the first tunnelling machine in ground in May.

Reaction:

Prime Minister, Boris Johnson: “Today is a landmark moment in our infrastructure revolution. HS2 is the most significant expansion to our national railways in a generation – transforming connectivity between our towns and cities and vastly increasing the capacity of our rail network. By proceeding full steam ahead, we are delivering on our commitment to unite and level up the country. The construction of Phase 2a will support thousands of jobs and create opportunities for local businesses as we build back better.”

Northern Powerhouse Rail Director at Transport for the North: “This is brilliant news. It has been a long time coming but HS2 has now been approved up to Crewe, which takes us to the doorstep of the North of England. The move will lock-in the creation of thousands of jobs in the years to come as we seek to build back better. It is essential now that the North gets certainty on the delivery of Phase 2b in full, on both sides of the Pennines, so that our communities are fully connected to the nation’s high-speed network. Northern Powerhouse Rail and HS2 are two parts of a whole and both are fundamental to the transformative change we need to release the North’s economic potential and cut carbon emissions. We look forward to the Government’s Integrated Rail Plan shortly, which needs to give certainty to both HS2 to Manchester and Leeds, and to the Northern Powerhouse Rail network.”

Midlands Connect director Maria Machancoses: “Today’s historic milestone will be music to the ears of businesses, investors and travellers alike. It’s heartening to see progress being made, Government must now work to ensure this momentum is maintained and that construction is started on the Birmingham to Crewe leg as soon as possible.”

Railway Industry Association chief executive Darren Caplan: “This is great news, not just of course for the railway industry but also for the UK, its long term connectivity and economy. It is another step towards transforming the rail network, unleashing jobs, investment and economic growth around the country at such an important time, whilst ensuring we have capacity for the future. The railway industry is already delivering on this scheme, and it looks forward to working with Government, HS2 Ltd, and other partners, in the months and years ahead, to enable the project to be delivered effectively and efficiently. Now let’s get on with the Eastern leg too, to deliver the full network and the maximum benefits which the entire HS2 scheme provides.”

MP for Crewe & Nantwich Kieran Mullan: “Extending the HS2 line to Crewe is a major step towards levelling-up the north. It is crucial to bringing new jobs and opportunities to our town and for creating better local rail connections as we free up the currently overly congested line West Coast Main Line. This reaffirms Crewe’s status at the heart of the rail network and just as we were a crucial part of the previous rail revolution, HS2 will cement our place as a vital part of the next.”

Chief executive of Staffordshire Chamber of Commerce Sara Williams: “HS2 brings potential benefits for Staffordshire businesses, both now and in the future. Extending the high speed line northwards will generate thousands of contract opportunities for local businesses of all sizes and their involvement will provide a vital boost for the Staffordshire economy in the years ahead.”

A spokesperson for the High Speed Rail Group: “Today marks a significant milestone in the life of the HS2 project, as it becomes ever more a truly North – South railway. The scheme will provide a new national transport spine for the country and be a cornerstone of the government’s vision to level up Britain. HSRG have long highlighted the significant impact Phase 2a will have on line of route towns and beyond. In Crewe, for example, a new commercial hub will be created that will help unlock growth in the wider North West and North Wales."

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