The first phase of the HS2 rail link between London and Birmingham has been given the go ahead by Transport secretary Justine Greening today.
The economic case from ther Department for Transport says the £32.7bn project is forecast to deliver economic benefits worth up to £47bn and fare revenues of up to £34bn over a 60-year period.
Legislation for the revised HS2 route will be introduced in 2013 and it is expected that the first phase of HS2 could be completed by 2026. The second phase of ‘Y’ shaped track would extend to Leeds, Manchester and Heathrow airport by 2033.
More than half of the 100-mile route would be covered by tunnelling in order to appease vociferous opposition to the scheme.
New or lengthened tunnel sections announced by the transport secretary include:
- Amersham in Buckinghamshire;
- Ruislip in north-west London;
- Greatworth in Northamptonshire;
- Turweston in Buckinghamshire, Chipping Warden;
- Aston le Walls in Northamptonshire;
- Wendover in Buckinghamshire;
- Long Itchington Wood in Warwickshire.
John Longworth, director general of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), welcomed the government’s decision to proceed with the project, which he said ‘must be seen as one part of a comprehensive package of infrastructure improvements to underpin economic growth’.
‘However, the battle for HS2 is not yet won. Ministers must legislate swiftly, and within this parliament, to demonstrate their rock-solid commitment to delivering a national high speed rail network,’ added Mr Longworth.
Affected local authorities, however, have already threatened a judicial review of the decision.
