Latest news

We have recently published some new documents which may be of interest to you. This is part of our commitment to keeping you informed about HS2 progress and construction activities in your area .

We have published the fifth public report that documents our progress towards being a good neighbour by putting engagement with communities at the heart of everything we do.

This report covers the six-month period from January to June 2020, and draws on a number of case studies of activity during the first half of the year, along with currently available data such as from our Helpdesk, community funding awarded and the events we have held.

Earlier this year the Government made clear its commitment to Phase 2b of HS2, extending high speed rail from the West Midlands to the North, ensuring we boost capacity, improve connectivity between our regions and share prosperity .

As part of this, the Government is planning to present an Integrated Rail Plan (IRP) for the North and Midlands by the end of 2020, following an assessment by the National Infrastructure Commission. This assessment will look at how to deliver Phase 2b, Northern Powerhouse Rail, Midlands Rail Hub and other rail programmes better and more effectively.

Today (Wednesday, October 7) the Minister of State for Transport announced a consultation on proposed changes to the design of the Western Leg of Phase 2b.

However, we have been asked to pause work on the Eastern Leg from the West Midlands to Leeds. A decision on the inclusion of the Eastern Leg refinements will follow the conclusion of the IRP and will be subject to its outcomes. We recognise that this causes uncertainty and our Eastern Leg community engagement teams are here to support you.

HS2 Helpdesk

We have published the fourth public report that documents our progress towards being a good neighbour by putting engagement with communities at the heart of everything we do.

This report covers the six-month period from July to December 2019, and draws on a number of case studies of activity during the second half of the year, along with currently available data such as from our Helpdesk, community funding awarded and the events we have held.

We will continue to publish these reports on a regular basis.

The health, safety and wellbeing of the communities along the route of the new railway, and our staff, remains our absolute priority.

We are working closely with our construction partners to review the works on our construction sites in line with Government and Public Health England (PHE) advice on dealing with COVID-19. The Government’s current COVID-19 strategy makes clear that construction activity can continue as long as it complies with this guidance.

Along the overall Phase One route, between London and the West Midlands, work at some of our sites has been paused as we complete this review. Some staff may be present to make the safety assessments and to ensure the sites remain safe and secure. Those sites that are still working are doing so because they can operate within PHE and construction industry guidelines, and will be monitored and remain under constant review.  

We do expect that work will restart at some of these sites where our contractors are confident that they can operate in line with PHE and industry guidance, protecting our staff and the communities in which they are working.

We have taken the decision to postpone all face-to-face engagement events and meetings during this period. We have been notifying local residents and putting in place alternative ways of communicating and engaging with communities over the coming weeks and months.

The HS2 Helpdesk remains operational all day, every day, and will be the public’s first point of contact should they need advice or information from HS2. You can contact the Helpdesk:

Following UK Government advice to stop non-essential contact with other people, and avoid all unnecessary travel, we have taken the decision to postpone a number of face to face engagement events and meetings. You may already have received notifications about some of these. We have made this decision to support the government aim to reduce the time spent in public places and the amount of contact between people due to the Coronavirus pandemic.

We are looking at alternative ways of engaging and communicating with you over the coming weeks and months.

The HS2 Helpdesk remains operational all day, every day, and will be your first point of contact should you need advice or information from HS2.  You can contact the Helpdesk on: