The HS2 Project: Construction Progress

The HS2 Project

The HS2 project is Britain’s new zero-carbon high-speed railway. Over 250 miles will connect London to the West Midlands and Yorkshire. Much of the construction lies on the London-Birmingham route (Phase One), seeing the creation of whole new lines and four stations. Once complete, it will link to existing routes in the North, collectively increasing property prices as the economy and population rise.

350 active sites sit between the West Midlands and London. On and off-site, the HS2 project currently supports more than 28,500 jobs and over 3,000 businesses. Over 3,000 of these employees were previously unemployed, while other roles are apprenticeships and graduate-level jobs, supporting young people on the first step in their careers.

As Phase One continues toward completion, the desire for Birmingham grows. Birmingham will see a rise in property prices due to the high-speed railway, becoming a hub of professionals choosing to relocate from London. With the HS2 project only pushing further North, the same capital growth and increase in supply, demand, and employment will be seen in Manchester and, consequently, connecting locations. Investing in the Northern Powerhouse has never been more prominent.

The APM

The Automated People Mover (APM) is a key part of the HS2 project, and plans are to soon commence. The efficient and environmentally friendly mode of transport will carry up to 2,100 passengers per hour between HS2’s Interchange Station, the NEC, Birmingham International, and Birmingham Airport in as little as 6 minutes. Its 2.2km viaduct will run over the NEC, the M42 motorway, and West Coast Main Line.

The search for contractors to design and supply this system will begin later this year. Invites to tender will be sent in 2025 and the contract awarded in 2026. The APM will be complete in time for when Interchange Station starts its services.

Old Oak Common

The HS2 project’s new ‘super-hub’ station in West London recently marked a milestone of reaching 2 years of permanent construction. Old Oak Common has supported 1,900 jobs, welcoming 1,000 workers on-site daily.

While the HS2 project is committed to eliminating the use of diesel at its construction sites by 2029, Old Oak Common is significantly ahead of schedule and has set its own goal to be diesel-free by the end of 2024. This will be in time for the bore of the 5-mile Euston Tunnel, leading to the new HS2 Euston Station.

Old Oak Common will become a vital transport hub for the country once it opens, offering services North, South, East, and West. There are plans to transform the wider area to create tens of thousands of new jobs and homes from the former railway and industrial site.