HS2 maps – Updated January 2012

Overview map (pdf, 1.3mb)

Map 1 – Middleton, pdf 1.3mb

Map 2 – Balsall Common, 1.9mb

Map 3 – Burton Green, pdf 1.3mb

Map 4 – Kenilworth, pdf, 1.3mb

Map 5 – Stoneleigh Park, pdf, 1mb

Map 6 – Cubbington, pdf, 921kb

Map 7 – Southam and Ufton Wood, pdf, 1.1mb

Transport Select Committee and HS2 – Report Published on 23 January 2012

The Transport Select Committee has published the Government’s repsonse to the Committee’s High Speed Rail report.

The Transport Select Committee issued its report, High Speed Rail, on 8 November, 2011, making a total of 23 recommendations. The Government’s reponses are set out in the report.

12th Special Report – High Speed Rail: Government Response to the Committee’s Tenth Report of Session 2010-12

PDF version 12th Special Report – High Speed Rail: Government Response to the Committee’s Tenth Report of Session 2010-12 ()

HS2 January 2012 publications

High speed rail: Investing in Britain’s future – the Government’s decisions

Summary of the Government’s decision to develop a new national high speed rail network.

Review of HS2 London to West Midlands appraisal of sustainabilityA report to Government by HS2 Ltd

A review by HS2 Ltd of high speed rail consultation responses regarding the appraisal of sustainability. It includes consideration of comments on the environment, greenhouse gas emissions, air quality, and species and habitats.

 

Do you think you are affected by the HS2 route?

The Department has written to all owners of properties that are very close to the proposed line of the route to inform them of the Government’s decision, and the potential need to compulsorily purchase their property.

Review of property issues

A review by the Department for Transport of the property concerns raised during the consultation on high speed rail and the Government’s policies to minimise blight and support communities.

Summary of effects of HS2 London to West Midlands route refinementsA report to Government by HS2 Ltd

A report by HS2 Ltd focusing on the engineering, sustainability and cost effects of the changes made to the London to West Midlands route in response to issues raised in consultation.

 

Review of HS2 London to West Midlands route selection and speedA report to Government by HS2 Ltd

A review by HS2 Ltd of its route selection process, and a number of route-related features, such as the maximum line speed, alternative route corridors, the location of stations and servingHeathrowAirport.

 

Review of possible refinements to the proposed HS2 London to West Midlands routeA report to Government by HS2 Ltd

A report by HS2 Ltd presenting its recommendations for line of route alignment changes to HS2 (LondontoWest Midlands) in response to issues raised during consultation.

Review of strategic alternatives to High Speed TwoA report to Government by Network Rail

A report by Network Rail on proposals to upgrade the existing rail network as alternative strategies to HS2.

 

Economic case for HS2: Value for money statement

The Department for Transport’s assessment of the value for money of HS2.

 

High speed rail: Investing in Britain’s future consultation summary reportA report to Government by Dialogue by Design

An independent report providing a summary of the responses to the Government’s consultation ‘High speed rail: Investing inBritain’s future’.

 

Review of the Government’s strategy for a national high speed rail network

A review of the Government’s strategy for a national high speed rail network in light of responses to the ‘High speed rail: Investing inBritain’s future’ consultation.

 

HS2 Ltd triennial review 2011

The approach to and findings of the triennial review of High Speed 2 (HS2) Ltd.

 

Review of the technical specification for high speed rail in the UKA report to Government by HS2 Ltd

A review by HS2 Ltd of the technical specification for HS2 in light of consultation responses.

 

HS2 revised line of route maps

Maps reflecting the Government’s amendments to the HS2 London toWest Midlandsline of route.

 

Economic case for HS2: Updated appraisal of transport user benefits and wider economic benefitsA report to Government by HS2 Ltd

HS2 Ltd’s update to the ‘Economic case for HS2: The Y network and London-West Midlands’. It describes changes to forecasts of demand and the updated economic appraisal of HS2.

 

High speed rail: Investing in Britain’s future – decisions and next steps

The decisions reached by the Government in the light of the ‘High speed rail: Investing inBritain’s future’ consultation and an outline of the immediate next stages of the project.

 

High speed rail strategic alternatives study: Update following consultation

A report by Atkins examining the case for conventional rail alternatives to HS2.

Transport Committee – Select Committee Announcement

Transport Committee

Select Committee Announcement

17 January 2012
For Immediate Release: SCA 120/2010–12

Special REPORT: High speed rail (Government response)

· Inquiry: High Speed Rail
· The Transport Committee

The Committee has agreed to publish its Twelfth Special Report of Session 2010–12, High Speed Rail: Government Response to the Committee’s Tenth Report of Session 2010-12 (HC 1754), at 00.01 am on Monday 23 January.

The report will be available on The Stationery Office (TSO) Ltd’s website and the Committee’s website shortly after the publication hour has passed: Transport Committee Publications.

The Report may also be purchased from TSO—Tel: 08457 023474.

FURTHER INFORMATION:

The Transport Committee published its report, High Speed Rail (HC 1185-I), on 8 November 2011

Committee Membership is as follows:
Mrs Louise Ellman (Labour/Co-operative, Liverpool Riverside) (Chair); Steve Baker (Conservative, Wycombe); Jim Dobbin (Labour/Co-operative, Heywood and Middleton); Mr Tom Harris (Labour, Glasgow South); Julie Hilling (Labour, Bolton West); Kwasi Kwarteng (Conservative, Spelthorne); Mr John Leech (Liberal Democrat, Manchester Withington); Paul Maynard (Conservative, Blackpool North and Cleveleys); Iain Stewart (Conservative, Milton Keynes South); Graham Stringer (Labour, Blackley and Broughton); Julian Sturdy (Conservative, York Outer).

Specific Committee Information: transcom@parliament.uk 020 7219 6263/3266

Media Information: Hannah Pearce pearcehm@parliament.uk 020 7219 8430

Committee Website: www.parliament.uk/transcom

Watch committees and parliamentary debates online: www.parliamentlive.tv

Publications / Reports / Reference Material: Copies of all select committee reports are available from the Parliamentary Bookshop (12 Bridge St, Westminster, 020 7219 3890) or the Stationery Office (0845 7023474). Committee reports, press releases, evidence transcripts, Bills; research papers, a directory of MPs, plus Hansard (from 8am daily) and much more, can be found on www.parliament.uk

HS2: London to Birmingham high speed rail route seen from the sky

 Helicopter footage shows the approximate route to be taken by the proposed high speed rail link between London and Birmingham.

Article from The Daily Telegraph (Tuesday 17th January 2012)

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/road-and-rail-transport/9003263/HS2-London-to-Birmingham-high-speed-rail-route-seen-from-the-sky.html

HS2 debate in House of Commons – Video and written record

Written Record

http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201011/cmhansrd/cm120110/debtext/120110-0001.htm#12011048000001

Video

Forward video to 1hour 5minutes for HS2

http://www.parliamentlive.tv/Main/Player.aspx?meetingId=9753

HS2 and house prices: what the high-speed rail link means to you. (Article in The Guardian)

More than 65% of the responses to HS2 consultation mentioned property. Here’s what the go-ahead could mean for your house.

The HS2 scheme, which has now got the go-ahead from the government, will have a huge impact on homeowners in the areas surrounding the proposed line.

The high-speed rail link will cut journey times by 30 minutes between London and Birmingham, and is the first part of a scheme which will eventually see trains running at speeds of up to 225mph to Manchester and Leeds.

But fear about disruption caused by the construction of the line, and the ongoing noise caused by the fastest train ever run, has already had an impact on the housing markets in some of the areas affected, with homeowners reporting an inability to sell, or that prices have been hit. The government says that out of 55,000 responses to a consultation on the plans, 36,036 (more than 65%) mentioned property.

Read the full article online.

Latest Dft HS2 Publications

Do you think you are affected by the HS2 route?

The Department has written to all owners of properties that are very close to the proposed line of the route to inform them of the Government’s decision, and the potential need to compulsorily purchase their property.

Review of property issues.

A review by the Department for Transport of the property concerns raised during the consultation on high speed rail and the Government’s policies to minimise blight and support communities.

Blight and compensation

Construction of the line between London and West Midlands is anticipated to start in 2016, with the line operational from 2026.

During 2012 a comprehensive land referencing exercise to identify and confirm all property interests affected by the route will begin.  Those people who may be affected by the route will soon be receiving letters to alert them to the situation.

• Review of property issues
• Do you think you are affected by the HS2 route?
• High Speed Two: Exceptional hardship scheme consultation, 11 March 2011

More Department for Transport HS2 publications.

HS2: Transport Secretary Justine Greening’s full statement

The Secretary of State for Transport (Justine Greening): The consultation High speed rail: Investing in Britain’s future was one of the largest national consultations ever undertaken by the Department for Transport. 54,909 responses were received, from individuals, businesses and organisations across the country. It is clear from the consultation that a national high speed rail network – High Speed 2 – generates strong feelings, both in favour and against the scheme.

Since becoming Secretary of State for Transport I have taken time to consider all aspects of the consultation proposals and the evidence arising from both consultation responses and further work undertaken or commissioned by my Department and HS2 Ltd. This statement summarises my decisions.

I have decided Britain should embark upon the most significant transport infrastructure project since the building of the motorways by supporting the development and delivery of a new national high speed rail network. By following in the footsteps of the 19th century railway pioneers, the Government is signalling its commitment to providing 21st century infrastructure and connections – laying the groundwork for long-term, sustainable economic growth.

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. It will form a foundation for a potentially wider high speed network in years to come.

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.

The benefits of HS2 will extend beyond the network itself; links to current lines will enable direct trains to run to cities such as Liverpool, Newcastle, Glasgow and Edinburgh and, with long-distance services transferring to the new network, space will be freed up for new commuter, regional and freight services on other lines, opening up new opportunities for Britain’s existing railways. Links to key urban transport networks, such as Crossrail, will help to spread the benefits further still.

HS2 is entirely consistent with the Government’s objectives for carbon emissions. Electrified rail is a comparatively low-carbon mode of transport, especially with the continued decarbonisation of the grid. Speed increases power consumption, but also makes HS2 more attractive to those currently flying or driving. The faster journeys on HS2 – Edinburgh and Glasgow will be just 3.5 hours from London – could transfer around 4.5 million journeys per year who might otherwise have travelled by air and 9 million from the roads. HS2 will also create more rail capacity on existing conventional speed lines for freight – removing lorries from our busy trunk roads. HS2 is therefore an important part of transport’s low-carbon future.

In securing these benefits for our country, I am committed to developing a network with the lowest feasible impacts on local communities and the natural environment. I have been mindful that we must safeguard the natural environment as far as possible, both for the benefit of those enjoying our beautiful countryside today and for future generations.

People living along the line of route highlighted particular concerns and provided constructive and thoughtful comments about the London to West Midlands route proposed at consultation. Following careful study by my engineers I can announce a package of alterations to further reduce the route’s impacts. The changes mean that more than half the route will now be mitigated by tunnel or cutting and there will also be a reduction in the impacts on people and communities, ancient woodlands and important heritage sites.

The changes include:

• A longer, continuous tunnel from Little Missenden to the M25 through the Chilterns;
• A new 2.75 mile (4.4 km) bored tunnel along the Northolt Corridor to entirely avoid major works to the Chilterns Line and impacts on local communities in the Ruislip area;
• A longer green tunnel past Chipping Warden and Aston Le Walls, and to curve the route to avoid a cluster of important heritage sites around Edgcote; and,
• A longer green tunnel to significantly reduce impacts around Wendover, and an extension to the green tunnel at South Heath.

The revised route offers considerable improvements to communities, with the number of dwellings at risk of land take almost halving and the number experiencing increased noise levels reducing by a third. Despite these improvements to limit the negative impacts of the line, HS2 will inevitably affect some homeowners, communities and businesses. To help those affected, we will bring in a package of measures, which are over and above what affected homeowners are already entitled to under law. These include:

• A streamlined purchase scheme to simplify the statutory blight process for property owners;
• A sale and rent back scheme to give homeowners within the safeguarded area more flexibility;
• A streamlined small claims scheme for construction damage which will allow individuals and businesses who are entitled to compensation under existing law to claim it more quickly and simply;
• A package of measures to reinforce confidence in properties above tunnels. Homeowners will be offered before and after surveys, a thorough assessment of the impact of similar tunnels, an explanation of the measures that will be taken to prevent perceptible vibration impacts, financial compensation for the compulsory purchase of subsoil, and a legally binding promise that HS2 will be permanently responsible for resolving any related settlement or subsidence issues; and,
• A refreshed hardship-based property purchase scheme.

Finally, we will work constructively with local authorities along the line of route to minimise the negative consequences of HS2 and maximise the benefits.

In November I announced the Triennial Review of HS2 Ltd, and in making my decision I have accepted the finding that HS2 Ltd is the appropriate body to continue undertaking this work.

Today I have presented to Parliament a full account of my decisions titled High speed rail: Investing in Britain’s future – decisions and next steps. My Department has published a series of supporting documents which set out in further detail the basis on which I have reached my decisions. All of this material is available at www​.dft​.gov​.uk/​h​i​g​h​s​p​e​e​d​r​ail.

Council reacts to HS2 announcement

 

Council reacts to HS2 announcement

Warwickshire County Council has responded to the decision of the Transport Secretary on high speed rail.

Cllr Bob Stevens, Deputy Leader of Warwickshire County Council, said: “We are disappointed that the Transport Secretary has decided to go ahead with the HS2 scheme. It will have a devastating impact on the countryside and it will have little benefit for us. The county council remains committed to protecting Warwickshire’s heritage, environment and communities.

“We based our strong opposition to the scheme on the fact that it presents a flawed business case and offers poor value for money to the taxpayer. It is an expensive project which we believe will have only a very limited impact on the regional economy and certainly nowhere near as substantial as estimated in some quarters. There will also be unquantifiable hidden costs to the local authority.

“Now that HS2 is to proceed, we must ensure that the interests of Warwickshire residents are best served. In the immediate future, we will continue to work with the 51M Group to put forward the county’s case against this scheme.”

Cllr Alan Cockburn, Warwickshire County Council’s Portfolio Holder for Sustainable Communities, added: ““It is too early to examine the detailed impact of the line on us but the county council will continue to work on behalf of the residents of Warwickshire. The county council’s project team has full council support to engage with the necessary authorities to protect Warwickshire’s interests and integrity in light of the decision to proceed.

“We should pay tribute to the various action groups who have carefully and intelligently researched the proposals, articulated their objections and backed up their assertions with evidence.”