HS2 trains to run on zero-carbon energy as part of green push January 11, 2022 HS2 trains are set to run on zero carbon energy from the first day of operations. The decision was part of HS2’s Net Zero Carbon Plan which, published today, sets out how HS2 Ltd intends to achieve carbon neutrality, reducing the project’s environmental impact to zero. “We know that the climate crisis demands urgent action [...]
HS2 rushes to purchase land for phase one opening January 9, 2022 HS2 is rushing to acquire several square kilometres of land needed to complete the project’s first phase. Out of the 70km2 needed to connect London to Birmingham, 13km2 are yet to be acquired, a freedom of information request put forward by the Telegraph has revealed. The land for the project can be forcibly bought by [...]
HS2 signs £2bn deal to create the UK’s fastest trains December 9, 2021 HS2 has signed a £2bn contract with manufacturers Hitachi and Alstom in a bid to produce the fastest trains ever seen in Britian.
Ministers postpone rail fare increase following HS2 cuts backlash December 2, 2021 A UK Government announcement regarding a 3.8 per cent increase in rail fares from March was postponed last week following the backlash caused by the slashing of rail investments in the north. Rail fares in England and Wales will see the biggest increase in nine years, the Guardian reported exclusively after seeing leaked documents. A [...]
Former Chancellor predicts PM will U-turn on HS2 cuts November 21, 2021 Former Chancellor George Osborne has predicted Prime Minister Boris Johnson will make a U-turn on the government’s decision to cut HS2’s eastern leg. Talking to the Financial Times’ Payne’s Politics podcast, Osborne – who was Chancellor from 2010 to 2015 during David Cameron’s government – labelled the decision to scale back on HS2 as “pretty [...]
Railway industry says HS2 cuts will hinder net zero and levelling up agenda November 18, 2021 Railway industry stakeholders have hit back against the government’s decision to cut the eastern leg of HS2, which was initially planned to connect Birmingham and Leeds. Speaking at Commons, Shapps argued that the changes made to the £100bn Integrated Rail Plan (IRP) “will bring benefits at least a decade or more earlier” and that they [...]
Government faces backlash over HS2 overhaul November 17, 2021 The government is facing criticism from small businesses and rail unions over plans to overhaul the designs for HS2. Transport Secretary Grant Schapps will tomorrow announce changes to the planned HS2 rail routes between major cities in the North and Midlands as part of the government’s £96bn “Integrated Rail Plan.” The rumoured redesign has drawn [...]
HS2’s eastern to be scrapped while northern railways get £100bn November 14, 2021 Transport secretary Grant Shapps is expected to face criticism over the rumoured decision to scrap HS2’s eastern leg that would connect Birmingham to Leeds. Announcing the outcome of the Rail Integrated Plan on Thursday, Shapps is likely to confirm the decision, while setting forth an almost £100bn investment in the English railway network, the Sunday [...]
HS2 blamed for shortage in construction industry’s key concrete supplies October 31, 2021 Builders have blamed HS2 for hoovering up key construction supplies before ordinary customers can get to them, resulting in industry-wide concrete shortages and rising prices. The UK’s flagship rail project is exacerbating global supply chain issues caused by a HGV driver shortage and international shipping delays, construction firms have warned. As a results, builders working [...]
Campaigners granted High Court hearing over HS2 tunnel row October 26, 2021 Environmental campaigners are set to go to the High Court on 28 October over the impact of an HS2 tunnel in the Chiltern Hills. The environmentalists have sought legal action to save the River Misbourne, asking for the HS2 bore tunnel not to be constructed on the site. According to campaigners, the methods and risks [...]