Construction of the HS2 rail line will begin ‘on schedule’ in the spring after the legislation for Phase One of the scheme received Royal Assent.
The High Speed Rail (London – West Midlands) hybrid Bill has completed over three years of Parliamentary scrutiny.
Transport secretary Chris Grayling said: ‘Getting the go-ahead to start building HS2 is a massive boost to the UK’s future economic prosperity and a further clear signal that Britain is open for business.
‘By investing in infrastructure the Government is seizing the opportunity provided by leaving the EU to build a more global Britain. ‘
Sir John Peace
Although the Department for Transport described the Bill – now an Act – as ‘essentially the planning application for HS2’, it only covers Phase One of the project between Birmingham and London, as HS2 Ltd chairman David Higgins made clear.
The chair of Midlands Connect, Sir John Peace, said Royal Assent marked ‘a momentous day, both for the Midlands and the UK’ and meant the Midlands could move forward in unlocking economic growth worth billions of pounds to the UK economy, underpinned by the greater connectivity and capacity the high speed line will open up.
He added: ‘It's proof that the Government is serious about rebalancing the country’s economy by investing in the regions.’
Cllr Jon Collins, chair of the East Midlands HS2 Strategic Board, said: 'HS2 is happening – there is no doubt about that now. We now need to maintain momentum on the project and ensure that it is delivered in full.
'The Eastern leg of HS2 between Birmingham, the East Midlands and Leeds has the best economic case and will also improve connectivity to the north east and Scotland. But if HS2 does not progress beyond phase 1, the East Midlands will be bypassed.'
Penny Gaines, chair of Stop HS2, claimed that the case for HS2 ‘has never been examined properly’, with ministers previously pledging that this would happen 'later'. She said: ‘And yet that has never actually happened.’
Ms Gaines added: ‘In the Northern Powerhouse area, people are talking about the need for east-west links, rather then another route to London. Even with Royal Assent, it’s not too late to cancel HS2 and look at the real transport needs of the country.’
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