High Speed 2 facts for kids
Quick facts for kids High Speed 2 |
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|---|---|
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The planned extent of HS2 as of October 2023
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| Overview | |
| Status | Under construction |
| Locale | |
| Termini | London Euston Birmingham Curzon Street |
| Connecting lines | West Coast Main Line |
| Stations | 4 |
| Service | |
| Type | High-speed railway |
| System | National Rail |
| History | |
| Commenced | 2017 |
| Planned opening | 2029 to 2033 |
| Technical | |
| Line length | 230 km (140 mi) |
| Number of tracks | Double track |
| Track gauge | 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in) standard gauge |
| Loading gauge | UIC GC |
| Electrification | 25 kV 50 Hz AC |
| Operating speed |
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High Speed 2 (HS2) is a new high-speed railway being built in England. It will connect London to Handsacre in Staffordshire, with a branch line going to Birmingham. HS2 is the second special high-speed railway in Britain. The first was High Speed 1, which links London to the Channel Tunnel. Most of HS2 is planned to be finished between 2029 and 2033.
The new train line will run from London Euston to a connection with the West Coast Main Line at Handsacre. This is near Lichfield in southern Staffordshire. New stations will be built at Old Oak Common in northwest London, Birmingham Interchange near Solihull, and Birmingham city centre. The trains will travel very fast, up to 360 km/h (225 mph). They will run on both the new HS2 tracks and older, existing train lines.
The original plan for HS2 was much longer when it was first announced in 2013. It was supposed to split into eastern and western parts north of Birmingham. The eastern part would have gone to Leeds and York. The western part would have connected to Crewe and Manchester. However, between 2021 and 2023, the project was shortened. Now, only the London to Handsacre and Birmingham section is being built.
HS2 has both supporters and people who are against it. Supporters believe it will help with the growing number of passengers. They also think it will encourage more people to travel by train instead of by car or plane. Those against it worry about the cost and its impact on the environment.
Contents
History of HS2
Modern high-speed rail started in the UK in 2003 with the first part of High Speed 1 (HS1). In 2009, the Department for Transport (DfT) suggested looking into a second high-speed line. A new company, High Speed Two Limited (HS2 Ltd), was set up to develop this.
In December 2010, a Y-shaped route was proposed. It would go from London to Birmingham, with branches to Leeds and Manchester. This plan aimed to reduce the impact on the environment.
In January 2012, the government decided that HS2 would be built in two main parts, called phases. The first part, Phase 1, was approved in February 2017. This allowed construction between London and the West Midlands. Phase 2a, which would extend the line to Crewe, was approved in February 2021. The plans for the rest of Phase 2b are currently on hold.
One main goal of HS2 is to create more space on the railway network. By having fast trains on HS2, slower local trains can use the older lines. This helps more people travel and reduces delays. Building a new high-speed line is seen as a better option than upgrading the old lines, which would cause a lot of disruption. The government also believes that better train connections will help the economy. It hopes more people will choose trains over flying or driving.
Project Reviews and Changes
In August 2019, an independent review of the project was ordered. It was led by Douglas Oakervee, a civil engineer. The review found that the main reasons for HS2 – to add capacity and improve reliability – were still valid. It recommended that the project should continue, but with efforts to reduce costs.
In April 2020, construction companies were given the official go-ahead to start work.
However, in July 2023, a government report gave Phases 1 and 2A a "red" rating. This meant that finishing the project successfully seemed unlikely. Issues with the plan, timeline, budget, and benefits were highlighted. Ideas like reducing train speeds and frequency were considered to cut costs.
A report in January 2024 from the House of Commons said that HS2 now offers "very poor value for money" for taxpayers. This was after parts of the project were cancelled.
Integrated Rail Plan
In November 2021, the government published its Integrated Rail Plan. This plan made big changes to HS2. It cut back much of the eastern part of the line.
The original eastern part would have connected to Leeds and York. The new plan largely removed this. Instead, a shorter branch from Coleshill near Birmingham would go to East Midlands Parkway station. From there, HS2 trains would use existing lines to reach Nottingham, Derby, Chesterfield, and Sheffield.
In June 2022, a link called the Golborne spur was removed from the western part of the plan. This meant trains to Scotland would join the existing West Coast Main Line further south at Crewe.
Cancellation of Phase 2
In October 2023, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced that Phase 2 of HS2 would be cancelled. This means the new high-speed track will only run from London to Handsacre, with a branch to central Birmingham. The construction of Euston station in London will now depend on money from private companies.
Sunak said the money saved (about £36 billion) would be spent on roads, buses, and railways across the country. This plan is called Network North. The money would be used for projects from southern Scotland to Plymouth. About 30% of the savings would go to railway projects.
In January 2024, the opposition leader Keir Starmer said that a future Labour government would not be able to restart Phase 2 because contracts would have been cancelled.
Ongoing Review for Revival to Manchester
In January 2024, the mayors of Greater Manchester and the West Midlands discussed bringing back parts of the high-speed rail project using private money. They met with private investors and government ministers. The idea is to build the part of Phase 2 between Handsacre and High Legh in Cheshire. From there, trains would use the Northern Powerhouse Rail line to Manchester Piccadilly. The mayors believe this could cost less if train speeds are reduced.
A report in March 2024 suggested building a new line between Handsacre and Manchester Airport. This would connect to Northern Powerhouse Rail. The cost could be covered by both government and private funding.
HS2 Route
Geographic data related to London to Handsacre and Birmingham
Phase 1 is now the complete new HS2 track. It will be a high-speed line from Euston railway station in London to a connection with the West Coast Main Line (WCML) near Handsacre. This village is north of Lichfield in Staffordshire. There will also be a branch line to a new station at Birmingham Curzon Street.
New stations will also be built at Old Oak Common in northwest London and Birmingham Interchange near Solihull. The section between Old Oak Common and the West Midlands is planned to open around 2030. The link to Euston will follow between 2031 and 2035. This high-speed track, including the Birmingham branch, is about 225 km (140 miles) long. It runs next to the WCML and the Chiltern Line.
When it opens, Phase 1 will allow HS2 trains to travel from London to Birmingham in 49 minutes. Journeys to Birmingham Interchange will take 38 minutes. Trains to other places will use a mix of HS2 and older tracks. For example, journeys to Liverpool will take 1 hour 50 minutes, and to Manchester 1 hour 40 minutes.
The route starts at Euston station in London. It goes into a tunnel near the station. After Old Oak Common station, trains go through another 8-mile tunnel. This tunnel comes out at the surface in northwest London. The line then crosses the Colne Valley Regional Park on a long bridge called the Colne Valley Viaduct. It then enters a 9.8-mile tunnel under the Chiltern Hills. This tunnel comes out near South Heath, northwest of Amersham. The line will run mostly next to the A413 road. It will pass west of Aylesbury. Then it will follow the path of an old railway line, the Great Central Main Line. This part of the line will be a "cut-and-cover" tunnel under farmland. Soil will be spread over it to make it less visible and reduce noise.
After passing south of Brackley, the line will cross the A43 and open countryside. It will go through South Northamptonshire and Warwickshire, passing south of Southam. After a tunnel under Long Itchington Wood, the route will go through rural areas between Kenilworth and Coventry. It will cross the A46 to enter the West Midlands.
Birmingham Interchange Station will be on the edge of Solihull. It is close to major roads like the M42 and M6. These roads will be crossed by bridges. The station is also next to Birmingham Airport and the National Exhibition Centre. North of this station, a complex junction will connect the HS2 Birmingham city centre branch with the main line. The main line continues north to connect with the WCML at Handsacre. The Birmingham city centre branch will follow the Water Orton rail corridor. It will go through Castle Bromwich and a tunnel past Bromford.
Cancelled Phases
Phase 2 was meant to extend HS2 north from Fradley (a village northwest of Lichfield). It would then split into two branches. The western branch would have gone north past Crewe. It would then split again near Knutsford, with one part ending at Manchester Piccadilly railway station. The other part would join the West Coast Main Line (WCML) at Golborne, south of Wigan. A station might have been built to serve Manchester Airport.
The eastern branch would have gone through the East Midlands. It would connect to the Midland Main Line north of Derby, then continue to Leeds. This branch would also have split, with one part ending in central Leeds and the other connecting to the East Coast Main Line near York.
Phase 2 was divided into three smaller parts:
- Phase 2a: West Midlands to Crewe.
- Phase 2b west: Crewe to the West Coast Main Line near Wigan, with a branch to Manchester.
- Phase 2b east: A branch from the West Midlands to the East Coast Main Line near York, with a branch to Leeds.
Phase 2b east was shortened in November 2021. The branch was then expected to end at East Midlands Parkway railway station near Nottingham. In June 2022, the Golborne link (part of Phase 2b west) was cancelled. Finally, in October 2023, Phase 2a and the rest of Phase 2b were cancelled. This means Phase 1 is the only part of the project still being built.
HS1 to HS2 Link
Early plans for HS2 included building a 2 km (1.2 mile) link between HS2 and HS1. This would have allowed high-speed trains to travel directly from the North and Midlands to places in Europe through the Channel Tunnel. This link, which would have gone through Camden Town in North London, was cancelled in 2014. This was due to its high cost and not enough space for trains on the HS2 track. After this link was cancelled, it was suggested that passengers could transfer between the two lines by shuttle bus, automated people mover, or a special walking route between Euston and St Pancras stations.
Branches to Other Lines
West Coast Main Line
A key part of the HS2 plan is that the new high-speed track will connect to the existing West Coast Main Line at Handsacre. This is north of Birmingham. This connection will allow HS2 trains to continue north on the existing tracks. This is the only place where the new and old tracks will connect. This connection means HS2 services can reach cities like Liverpool, Manchester, and Glasgow. They will use a mix of the new high-speed track and the existing West Coast Main Line. The special trains built for HS2 can run on both new and old tracks.
Stations
Central London
High Speed 2 will share its southern end point with the West Coast Main Line at London Euston. Euston station will be changed to combine the new HS2 platforms and waiting areas with the current station. There will be a better connection to the nearby Euston Square tube station. This station serves the Circle, Hammersmith & City, and Metropolitan underground lines. The government has said that work on Euston station will only start if private companies agree to provide funding.
West London
Old Oak Common station is being built between Paddington and Acton Main Line station. It is planned to be finished before Euston. It will be the temporary London end point for HS2 until Euston is ready. There will be connections to the Elizabeth Line, Heathrow Express to Heathrow Airport, and the Great Western Main Line to Reading and the South West. Old Oak Common station will also connect to London Overground stations at Old Oak Common Lane and Hythe Road.
Birmingham Airport
Birmingham Interchange will be a station where trains pass through. It is located in suburban Solihull. It is within a triangle of land surrounded by the M42, A45, and A452 roads. A special people mover will connect the station to the National Exhibition Centre, Birmingham Airport, and the existing Birmingham International railway station. This people mover can carry over 2,100 passengers per hour in each direction. The AirRail Link people-mover already runs between Birmingham International station and the airport. There is also a plan to extend the West Midlands Metro (a tram service) to serve the station.
Birmingham City Centre
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Birmingham Curzon Street will be the final station at the end of a branch line. This branch connects to the main HS2 line at Coleshill. A station with the same name used to exist on the Curzon Street site from 1838 to 1966. The old station building, which is a protected historic building, will be kept and restored.
The site is right next to Moor Street station. It is about 400 metres (0.25 miles) northeast of New Street station. Passengers can easily transfer between Moor Street and Curzon Street. A walkway connects Moor Street and New Street.
Work to clear the site for construction started in December 2018. The new station is expected to have a zero-carbon rating. It will also have over 2,800 square metres (30,000 sq ft) of solar panels.
Construction Progress
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The main construction work officially started on 4 September 2020. This was after some delays. The civil engineering (building work) for Phase 1 is worth about £6.6 billion. This includes preparing the ground with over 8,000 boreholes for investigation.
Euston Station in London
In October 2018, demolition began on old train sheds at Euston station. This allows for construction to start at the station entrance and for twin tunnels to West Ruislip. In January 2019, the taxi rank at Euston was moved. This allowed for the demolition of nearby tower blocks.
In March 2023, the government delayed work on Euston station. They said this was to manage rising costs and design an affordable station. Services between Birmingham and Old Oak Common would be the priority. The Elizabeth line would connect Old Oak Common to central London until at least 2035. In October 2023, the government said that any Euston station would not be funded by them. However, in May 2024, the government was reportedly ready to pay about £1 billion for the tunnels. They plan to get this money back from other developments around the station.
Chiltern Tunnels
In July 2020, work was finished on a 17-metre (56 ft) high wall at the start of the twin tunnels. The 10-mile (16 km) Chiltern tunnels will take three years to dig. Two large tunnel boring machines (TBMs), each weighing 2,000 tonnes, are being used.
The tunnels are lined with concrete sections made at a special facility. Tunnelling began in May 2021. The first TBM, Florence, moves up to 15 metres (49 ft) per day. The second TBM, Cecilia, started in July 2021. By October 2022, each machine had dug 4 miles (6.4 km) of tunnel. In February 2023, HS2 announced that half of the excavation was complete. Florence finished tunnelling in February 2024, and Cecilia finished in March 2024.
Colne Valley Viaduct
The Colne Valley Viaduct is a 2.1-mile (3.4 km) long bridge. It will carry the line over the Colne Valley Regional Park in Hillingdon, West London. The viaduct will be located between the Northolt and Chiltern tunnels.
A special bridge-building machine started work in May 2022. When finished (expected in May 2025), it will be the longest railway viaduct in the United Kingdom.
Northolt Tunnels
Two TBMs, Sushila and Caroline, started digging the Northolt tunnels from West Ruislip in October 2022. These two tunnels are planned to be finished in August 2024. The third TBM started in February 2024, and the fourth in April 2024. All the tunnels are planned to be finished in 2025.
Opposition to Construction
In 2017, a protest camp was set up at Harvil Road in the Colne Valley Regional Park. Environmental activists wanted to protect wildlife habitats. They also said that the construction would affect London's water supply. The camp included members of the Green Party and Extinction Rebellion. In January 2020, HS2 officials started to remove people from the site. This was after HS2 bought the land.
In early 2020, during woodland clearance, a group called HS2 Rebellion occupied a site in the Colne Valley. They wanted to stop construction. They argued that public money should be used to support the National Health Service during the COVID-19 pandemic. HS2 and the local council took legal action to remove the protesters. In March 2020, another camp was set up at Jones' Hill Wood in Buckinghamshire. In October 2020, activists were removed from treehouses there.
In January 2021, it was found that protesters had dug a tunnel under Euston Square Gardens. This was criticized for putting people in danger. By June 2021, HS2 stated that protests had cost the company £75 million.
Operation of HS2
The government had previously suggested that by 2033, HS2 would run up to 18 trains per hour to and from London. The 2020 plan showed a possible train schedule. Some services would use two connected train units. These would then split to go to different northern destinations.
Operator
The company responsible for running and maintaining High Speed 2 is Avanti West Coast. This company is a partnership between FirstGroup and Trenitalia. They were given the contract in December 2019. Avanti West Coast will manage ticketing, trains, and keeping the infrastructure in good condition. Their first contract is for the first three to five years of HS2's operation.
Fares
The government has said that train ticket prices will be similar to those on existing railways. HS2 should attract enough passengers so it does not need to charge higher prices. A public relations manager for HS2 suggested that last-minute tickets could be sold at a discount. He said that if trains run every five or ten minutes, empty seats could be sold for £5 or £10 just before departure.
Capacity
| Type | Current capacity | Capacity post‑HS2 |
|---|---|---|
| Slow commuter | 3,900 | 6,500 |
| Fast commuter | 1,600 | 6,800 |
| Intercity | 5,800 | 1,800 |
| High-speed | 0 | 19,800 |
| Total | 11,300 | 34,900 |
HS2 will be able to carry up to 26,000 people per hour. It is expected to have 85 million passengers each year. The line will be used very often, with up to 17 trains per hour going to and from Euston. Since all HS2 trains will travel at the same high speed, capacity increases. This is because faster trains will not need to slow down for slower freight or commuter trains. By moving the fastest services to HS2, more space becomes available on the West Coast Main Line, East Coast Main Line, and Midland Main Line. This allows for more freight trains and local services.
Infrastructure
HS2 will be built to European train size standards, like HS1. It will follow European Union technical rules for high-speed rail. HS2 is being built to allow for a maximum design speed of 250 mph (400 km/h). However, trains will initially run at a maximum speed of 225 mph (360 km/h).
Train signals will use the European Rail Traffic Management System (ERTMS). This system uses signals inside the train driver's cab. This helps with visibility issues at speeds over 125 mph. ETCS Level 2 will be used, with some automatic train operation (ATO). This means trains will be semi-automatic on the HS2 line. Drivers will still operate doors, drive if needed, and handle emergencies. GSM-R will be used for communication.
Electricity at 25kV 50Hz AC will power the trains through overhead lines. Most open sections of the line will use special pre-cast concrete track, called slab track. In tunnels and stations, concrete track will be poured in place.
Platform height at new HS2 stations will be 1115 mm (44 inches). This is to make it easier for people to get on and off trains without steps. Trains that continue onto the older rail network will use platforms that are the standard UK height of 915 mm (36 inches).
Rolling Stock (Trains)
In December 2021, the contract to build and maintain the HS2 trains was given to a joint company of Hitachi and Alstom. The trains will be based on an updated design called the Zefiro V300. The first train is expected to be delivered around 2027.
The train bodies will be built at the Hitachi factory in Newton Aycliffe. The wheels and undercarriage (bogies) will be made at the Alstom factory in Crewe. The final assembly of the trains will happen at Alstom in Derby.
The trains will have a maximum speed of at least 360 km/h (225 mph). They will be 200 metres (660 ft) long. Two units can be joined together to make a 400-metre (1,300 ft) long train. These trains will be able to run on both the new HS2 tracks and the existing railway lines.
Maintenance Depots
A train maintenance depot will be built at Washwood Heath in Birmingham. This will cover all of Phase 1 and Phase 2a. An additional depot in Annandale, Scotland, was announced in 2020.
The infrastructure maintenance depot (IMD) for Phase 1 will be built about halfway along the route. This is north of Aylesbury, between Steeple Claydon and Calvert in Buckinghamshire.
Journey Times
The government has provided updated estimates for how long journeys will take on HS2.
HS2 Services from London
| London to/from | Fastest journey time before HS2
(hrs:min) |
Estimated time after HS2
(hrs:min) |
Estimated time reduction |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birmingham | 1:16 | 0:52 | 0:24 |
| Liverpool | 2:03 | 1:50 | 0:13 |
| Glasgow | 4:30 | 4:00 | 0:30 |
| Manchester | 2:08 | 1:40 | 0:28 |
| Sources: | |||
Funding the Project
The government first estimated the cost of the London to Birmingham section at £15.8 to £17.4 billion. The entire Y-shaped network was estimated at £30.9 to £36 billion. In June 2013, the estimated cost rose to £42.6 billion, plus £7.5 billion for trains, making a total of £50.1 billion.
By 2014, the most common cost estimate for the project was £56.6 billion. This was adjusted for inflation. It was estimated that over sixty years, the line would bring in £92.2 billion in benefits and £43.6 billion in new income. This meant that for every £1 spent, the project was expected to provide £2.30 in benefits.
However, costs have increased, leading to parts of the track being cut. For example, the link between HS1 and HS2 was dropped because it was too expensive. By 2019, the estimated cost had increased to £87.7 billion. The benefits for every £1 spent had dropped to between £1.30 and £1.50. As of 2020, the budget set by the government is £98 billion. HS2 Ltd used £1.7 billion from a £4.3 billion emergency fund due to delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The last official estimate in July 2022 showed that for every £1 spent, the project would provide £1.10 in benefits.
Some cities, like Liverpool, have suggested contributing money for additional links. HS2 has also received funding from the European Union.
Wales' Classification
HS2 is classified as an "England and Wales" project. This has been criticized by politicians in Wales. They argue that Wales gets little benefit from HS2, as there are no high-speed tracks planned in Wales. Also, a government study suggested that HS2 would have a "negative economic impact on Wales".
Because rail infrastructure is not managed by the Welsh government, Wales receives less funding from the Barnett Formula when money is increased for England. The Welsh Government believes it should get about £5 billion from HS2's funding. By February 2020, Wales had received £755 million in HS2-related funding. The UK Government says it is investing a lot in Wales' railways.
Currently, trains between north Wales and London take about three hours and forty-five minutes. HS2 is expected to cut travel time between Crewe and London by thirty minutes. However, without direct services to north Wales, passengers might need to change trains at Crewe.
The government study estimated that the South Wales economy could lose up to £200 million per year. This is because its transport links would be less competitive compared to improved links between London and northern England. The same study suggested north Wales could benefit by £50 million, but with an overall negative impact of £150 million for Wales. This has led to calls for Wales to manage its own rail infrastructure, similar to Scotland.
In July 2021, a committee advised that HS2 should be reclassified as an "England only" project. This would allow Wales to receive its fair share of funding. The committee also suggested upgrading the North Wales Main Line.
Perspectives on HS2
Government Reasons for HS2
A 2008 government paper identified the London–West Midlands–North West England route as the most important and busiest. It also noted that this route faced the biggest challenges for future capacity. Train passenger numbers had doubled from 1995 to 2015. The section between Rugby and Euston was expected to run out of space around 2025. This was despite upgrades to the West Coast Main Line.
According to the Department for Transport (DfT), the main reason for HS2 is to add more capacity to the rail network. It says the new line will improve train services from London to cities in the North of England and Scotland. The chosen route will also improve transport links to Heathrow Airport. The DfT decided not to upgrade the existing West Coast Main Line further. They said it would be too expensive and cause too much disruption. Also, the old Victorian-era line was not suitable for very high speeds. A study found that upgrading the existing network for the same capacity would require fifteen years of weekend closures.
Support for HS2
HS2 is officially supported by the Labour Party, Conservative Party, and the Liberal Democrats. The government formed in May 2010 stated its commitment to building a high-speed rail network.
In 2019, the High Speed Rail Industry Leaders group (HSRIL) said that HS2 must be built to meet carbon emission targets for 2050. Network Rail supports the project. They say that upgrading the existing network instead of building HS2 would take longer and cause more problems for passengers.
Opposition to HS2
The Green Party would cancel HS2. They would spend the money on local transport links instead. The Brexit Party and the UK Independence Party also oppose the plan. At a local level, eighteen councils affected by the route formed a group called 51M. This name refers to the cost of HS2 for each local area in millions of pounds. Before he became prime minister, Boris Johnson was personally against HS2.
Stop HS2 was created in 2010 to organize local and national opposition against HS2. In June 2020, it organized a "Rebel Trail" with Extinction Rebellion. This was a protest march from Birmingham to London. Groups like the Wildlife Trusts and the National Trust oppose the project. They are concerned about the destruction of local wildlife and natural areas.
Environmental and Community Impact
The impact of HS2 has received special attention in the Chiltern Hills. This is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The line passes through the Misbourne Valley there. In January 2011, the government announced that two million trees would be planted along parts of the route. This is to make the line less visible. The route was changed to go through a tunnel under the southern Chilterns.
There were concerns that HS2 was doing preparatory work during bird nesting season. A conservationist named Chris Packham tried to get a legal review and an emergency order to stop construction. He raised money for legal fees. His attempt failed in the High Court of Justice. However, he was later allowed to appeal to the Court of Appeal. He lost his case in July 2020.
Property Demolition and Land Use
Phase 1 is expected to lead to the demolition of over 400 houses. About 250 are around Euston, 20-30 between Old Oak Common and West Ruislip, and around 50 in Birmingham. The rest are in smaller areas along the route. No Grade I or Grade II* listed buildings (highly protected historic buildings) will be demolished. However, six Grade II listed buildings will be demolished. Others will be changed, or moved and rebuilt. These included a 17th-century farm in Uxbridge and the Eagle and Tun pub. In Birmingham, the Curzon Gate student residence and the Fox and Grapes pub were demolished.
When the original plans were released in 2010, the Exceptional Hardship Scheme (EHS) was set up. This scheme was to pay homeowners whose houses would be affected by the line.
Ancient Woodland Impact
The Woodland Trust states that 108 ancient woodlands will be harmed by HS2. Ancient woodlands are areas that have been continuously forested since at least 1600. They have a rich variety of plants and animals. The government recognizes them as "irreplaceable habitat." The Trust says that 56 hectares (138 acres) of these woodlands are at risk of being completely lost. Rare species like the dingy skipper butterfly and white clawed crayfish could see their populations decrease or even disappear locally.
To make up for this loss, HS2 Ltd says that seven million trees and shrubs will be planted during Phase 1. This will create 9 square kilometres (2,200 acres) of new woodlands. Another 33 square kilometres (8,200 acres) of natural habitats are also planned. HS2 Ltd disagrees with the Trust's numbers. They say that only 43 ancient woodlands are directly affected, and over 80% of those will remain intact.
Carbon Dioxide Emissions
In 2007, a report looked into the overall carbon impact of building and running a new rail line. It found that there was no clear carbon benefit in the near future. The extra emissions from building a new line would be higher in the first ten years compared to not building a new line.
The 2006 Eddington Report warned against saying that moving from air travel to high-speed rail would greatly reduce carbon emissions. This is because only 1.2% of UK carbon emissions come from domestic flights. Also, train energy efficiency decreases as speed increases. A 2007 government paper stated that trains traveling at 220 mph (350 km/h) use 90% more energy than at 125 mph (200 km/h). This would mean higher carbon emissions for a London to Edinburgh journey by high-speed rail compared to conventional rail. However, if electricity production becomes carbon-free, the situation improves.
The "High-Speed Rail Command Paper" in March 2010 stated that the project would likely be carbon neutral. The House of Commons Transport Select Committee in November 2011 concluded that the government's claim of large carbon reduction benefits from HS2 was not strong. At best, HS2 could make a small contribution to carbon reduction targets. This would depend on quickly reducing carbon emissions from UK electricity generation. Others argue that these reports do not properly account for the carbon reduction benefits from people switching to rail for shorter journeys. This is because HS2 frees up space on existing lines for better local services.
The environmental statement for Phase 1 estimates that 5.8–6.2 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions will be released during construction. However, the operation of the line is expected to be carbon negative afterwards. Operational emissions, people switching to rail, and other environmental actions like tree planting are expected to save 3 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent emissions over sixty years of operation. Carbon dioxide emissions per passenger-kilometre in 2030 are estimated to be 8 grams for high-speed rail. This compares to 22 grams for conventional intercity rail, 67 grams for private cars, and 170 grams for domestic flights.
The government stated that one-third of the carbon footprint from building Phase 1 comes from tunnelling. The amount of tunnelling has increased due to requests from local residents. This is to reduce the railway's impact on habitats and its visual appearance.
Noise
HS2 Ltd stated that 21,300 homes could experience a noticeable increase in train noise. Also, 200 non-residential places (like community centres, schools, and hospitals) within 300 metres (980 ft) of the route could have significant noise impacts. The government has said that planted trees will help reduce noise pollution.
Archaeological Discoveries
Between 2018 and early 2022, HS2 examined over 100 archaeological sites along the railway route.
Early finds during construction included two Victorian-era glass jar time capsules. These were found during the demolition of an old hospital in Camden. They dated from 1879 and 1884. The capsules contained newspapers, hospital rules, and other records.
The "Hillingdon Hoard" was discovered in Hillingdon, West London. It contained over 300 late Iron Age coins. Archaeologists also found flint tools from a much earlier time (early Mesolithic period). This could be evidence of the earliest settlers in what is now Greater London.
Before building the new Euston station, archaeologists had to remove about 40,000 skeletons. These were from the old burial ground of St James's Church. Many skeletons were identified by lead coffin plates. This included the remains of explorer Captain Matthew Flinders. The other remains will be reburied at Brookwood Cemetery, Surrey. About 6,500 skeletons were also removed from a burial ground at the new Curzon Street Station in Birmingham. Other notable finds in the burials included coins, plates, toys, and necklaces. Excavations in Birmingham also uncovered the world's oldest railway roundhouse.
In July 2020, archaeological teams announced discoveries near Wendover, Buckinghamshire. They found the skeleton of an Iron Age man. He was found face-down in a ditch with his hands tied. This suggests he might have been murdered or executed. Archaeologists also found the remains of a Roman person buried in a lead coffin. This suggests they were important. One of the most important finds was a large circular monument of wooden posts, 65 metres (213 ft) across. Its features lined up with the winter solstice, similar to Stonehenge. A gold coin from the 1st century BC was also found.
In Coleshill, Warwickshire, the remains of a large manor house and gardens from the 16th century were excavated.
In September 2021, archaeologists found the remains of old St Mary's Church in Stoke Mandeville, Buckinghamshire. This Norman church dated back to 1080. They found medieval markings on stones in the ruins. Researchers also found flint walls forming a square structure. This suggests the Norman church was built on an earlier Anglo-Saxon church. About 3,000 bodies were moved to a new burial site as part of the excavations. Evidence of a settlement from the Roman period was also found nearby.
In early 2021, a significant site called "Blackgrounds" was discovered near Chipping Warden in South Northamptonshire. This was an Iron Age village that grew into a Roman town. Discoveries included a very large Roman road, over 300 Roman coins, jewelry, glass, and pottery. Roman workshops and kilns were also found. A pair of shackles was unearthed. All this showed it was a busy trading site.
Archaeological Legacy
HS2 Phase One is the largest single program of historic environment work ever done in the UK. It has created a huge amount of digital archaeological data. This data, including 3D models and reports, will be kept in a digital archive. It can be used for future research and public education.
Environmental Mitigation
A plan has been announced to use chalk dug from the Chiltern tunnel. This chalk will be used to rewild a section of the Colne Valley Western Slopes. This 127-hectare (310-acre) project will be inspired by the Knepp wilding project. It will stretch along the line from the viaduct at Denham Country Park to the Chiltern tunnel's southern entrance.
See also
- Rail transport in Great Britain
- High-speed rail in the United Kingdom
- High-speed rail in Europe
- High Speed 1, also known as the Channel Tunnel Rail Link, the high-speed line between London and the Channel Tunnel that opened in 2007.
- High Speed 3, an unofficial name generally used to refer to the Northern Powerhouse Rail project.
