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Construction on HS2, the controversial high-speed rail, will begin today, and the government calls it a “shovel-in-the-ground” moment.
HS2 Ltd, the state company behind the plan, has not disclosed the site where the works will begin, but it is understood by the Prime Minister. Boris johnson attend.
Johnson claimed the project would create about 22,000 jobs with construction “now formally underway.”
He added: “As the backbone of our country’s transportation network, the project will be vital to boost connectivity between our towns and cities.”
A government-commissioned review warned last year that HS2’s final bill could reach £ 106bn at 2019 prices.
Even though it’s already over budget and billions years late, PM gave HS2 the go-ahead in February.
The project received a revised budget and schedule as part of its decision.
HS2 will connect London with the West Midlands, Leeds and Manchester, and is the largest infrastructure project in Europe.
The goal is to run 18 trains an hour in each direction to and from London, at speeds of up to 224 mph, compared to between two and six an hour on Europe’s high-speed railways.
It involves the construction of more than 300 bridges and 70 viaducts for the London-West Midlands phase alone.
There will also be six new stations, including Birmingham Curzon Street, and extensions to London Euston and Manchester Piccadilly.
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But there are environmental concerns, with a Woodland Trust report warning earlier this year that HS2 will damage or destroy 108 ancient forests, five internationally protected wildlife sites and 693 local wildlife areas.
HS2 Ltd has said that the construction will not affect biodiversity as it plans to create a “green corridor” along the line.
Last month, a couple told Sky News what their 17th-century home looked like. ready to be demolished due to HS2.
Ron and Anne Ryall signed the property, once visited by Queen Elizabeth I, in Uxbridge, west London, to the high-speed network after losing a seven-year battle to keep their home.
“It’s like my stomach is ripped out,” Ryall said.
Transportation Secretary Grant Shapps said Friday’s HS2 event “marks an important milestone in this administration’s ambitions to better rebuild from COVID-19.”
He added: “Shovels in the ground to deliver this new railroad means thousands of jobs building the future of our country’s infrastructure.
“This fantastic moment is what the leaders of North and Midlands have called for: action to level our country by increasing the capacity of our railways, improving connections between our regions and spreading prosperity.”
HS2 Ltd CEO Mark Thurston said: “After 10 years of development and preparatory work, today we can formally announce the start of full construction, unlocking thousands of jobs and supply chain opportunities across the draft”.
