What is a fact about HS2?


What is a fact about HS2? High Speed 2 (HS2) is the Government's proposed new ultra-high speed rail line. The Government says it will cost £42.6 billion to build, plus £7.5bn for the trains, in 2011 prices. Phase 1 would not run until 2026 at the earliest, with stations in just Birmingham and London.


How many people will use HS2?

HS2 trains will connect around 30 million people. HS2 Phase One will open between 2029 and 2033 and run from London to Birmingham over 134 miles, through 31 miles of tunnels and over 10 miles of viaducts delivering quicker journeys on more trains with more seats.


How much of HS2 is underground?

HS2 currently has five TBMs in the ground, with a further five due to be launched over the coming years. Together they will create 64 miles (103 kilometres) of tunnel between London and the West Midlands including major tunnels on the approaches to London and Birmingham.


Why did HS2 fail?

HS2 Ltd, the state-funded body responsible for delivering the line, failed to add enough contingency to its cost estimates after using a calculation method that was inappropriate for the early stage of the programme.


Is HS2 successful?

While HS2 Ltd. has failed to meet the key schedule performance mark, it says it remains on course to complete the work well in the range of 2029 to 2033. But when the line will reach the central London terminal at Euston is still unknown. With costs rising, the government paused work at Euston in March.


Who benefits from HS2?

The HS2 rail line will provide significant extra capacity for passengers and freight within the UK and to continental Europe, along with other significant predicted national and local economic benefits that will come from sharing some of the South East's wealth.


What has HS2 destroyed?

HS2 Ltd's destruction of ancient woodland and veteran trees is unacceptable. We'll keep pushing hard to save these precious habitats.


How often will HS2 trains run?

What is the route for HS2? The new railway line running between London and the West Midlands would carry 400m-long (1,300ft) trains with as many as 1,100 seats per train, reaching speeds of up to 250mph and would run as often as 14 times an hour in each direction.


Why will HS2 take so long?

HS2 will be delayed by another two years and major roadbuilding schemes will be mothballed, ministers have confirmed, after soaring inflation added billions to the cost of transport infrastructure projects.