Since Royal Assent was granted last year construction has already begun along the Phase One route, which will run from London to the West Midlands and is due to be mostly completed by 2025. The first train services are expected to run on the line from 2026.
Enabling work has already begun, with the main civil engineering works include bridges, tunnels, embankments, viaducts and station designs going ahead, and procurement of the Euston Master Development Partner and London stations, rolling stock and rail systems contracts underway.
In addition, £70m of funding has begun to be distributed to those affected by the railway construction, with more funding available for communities and businesses. Live issues following Royal Assent include:
- Enabling works in various locations along the line of route, including archaeological works, extensive environmental mitigation works , site clearance and essential utility works;
- First recipients of the £40m Community and Environment Fund (CEF) and Business and Local Economy Fund (BLEF) have been awarded funding for projects along the Phase One line of route, with a further £5 million made available for communities along the HS2 Phase 2a route from the West Midlands to Crewe;
- Allocations for local authorities under the £30m Road Safety Fund announced, delivering high quality road and cycle safety projects;
- The £5m Woodland Fund has opened for applications, helping local landowners create new native, broadleaf woodlands and enhance existing woodland sites;
- Main Works Civils Contracts worth an estimated £6.6billion awarded to construct the bridges, tunnels, embankments and viaducts needed to drive economic growth and provide seamless journeys;
- Station design contracts have been awarded, appointing leading creative firms to ensure passengers on our world-class railway will experience modern and accessible stations;
- Procurement processes are underway for the Euston Master Development Partner, London stations construction contracts, rolling stock contract and rail systems contracts;
- National College for High Speed Rail opened its doors for its first learners in both Doncaster and Birmingham and the first group of apprentices joined HS2 Ltd;
- Old Oak Common depot decommissioning is underway.