High Speed Rail

High Speed 2 (HS2) is a scheme to deliver hugely enhanced rail capacity and connectivity between Britain’s major conurbations. It is the largest transport infrastructure investment in the UK for a generation, and, with the exception of High Speed 1 (HS1), is the first major new railway line since the Victorian era.  

The HS2 Y network will provide direct, high capacity, high speed links between London, Birmingham, Leeds and Manchester, with intermediate stations in the East Midlands and South Yorkshire. There will also be direct links to Heathrow Airport and to the Continent via the HS1 line. 

HS2 will be built in two phases to ensure that the benefits of high speed rail are realised at the earliest possible opportunity. The line from London to the West Midlands and the connection to HS1 are expected to open in 2026, followed, in 2032-33, by the onward legs to Manchester and Leeds and the connection to Heathrow.

The capital cost at 2011 prices of building the complete Y network is £32.7 billion. At present values, it will generate benefits of up to £47 billion and fare revenues of up to £34 billion over a 60-year period.

High Speed 2 - how will it benefit the West Midlands?

High Speed 2 will provide a vital catalyst to job creation and the future economic competitiveness of not only Birmingham, but the wider West Midlands region. Aided by the significant transport investment already taking place in Birmingham – including the £600 million New Street Gateway and the expansion of Birmingham Airport – HS2 will help attract overseas investors looking for a gateway to the rest of the UKand Europe and maintain Birmingham’s profile as a global business hub.

HS2 will provide direct services between Birmingham city centre, Birmingham Interchange (situated next to the NEC and Airport) and London reducing travel times to 48 and 39 minutes respectively.

Visit the High Speed Rail 2 website to find out more.

Economic Impact:

Reports produced in 2009 have estimated the economic impact across the UK of an initial London – Birmingham high speed over a 60 year period: 

• An expected GDP impact of £5.2 billion (present value) across a 60 year period from the time of implementation of the route.
• This is an average of 86 million per year (PV)
• For the West Midlands, the GDP impact over this period is estimated to be approximately £2.24 billion - an average of £37 million per annum (PV) 
• Of this, GDP impact to Birmingham city is £1.2 billion – an average of £20 million per annum