HS2 rail link gets the go ahead, passes commons vote with 399 votes to 42
The high speed rail link known as HS2 between London and Birmingham has taken another step towards final approval after it was voted through by MPs in the House of Commons this evening.
The project, which sports a price tag of £56bn, passed by a landslide 399 votes to 42, backed by both the Conservative and Labour leadership.
It now must clear a vote in the House of Lords before it can be rubber stamped.
MPs were voting on the first phase of the scheme between London and Lichfield.
Earlier the government announced it had shortlisted nine companies bidding for up to £11.8bn of work on HS2 between London and Crewe.
The first section of the line is due to be completed in 2026, with a further extension to Manchester and Leeds opened on by 2032.