HS2 granted Royal Assent for Birmingham to Crewe section

HS2 received a “shot in the arm ” after Royal Assent was granted to Phase 2a which takes the high-speed line from Birmingham to Crewe.

The Act of Parliament was passed exactly one year after Ministers gave the project the green light.

It will allow HS2 Ltd to begin work on constructing the next phase of the new high-speed railway between Crewe and Birmingham, creating thousands of jobs.

Construction of the first stage of the project between the West Midlands and London is already underway and is now supporting more than 15,000 jobs and 500 apprenticeships.

Paul Faulkner, chief executive of Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce hailed the news as a “shot in the arm for the whole project ”.

He said: “This news really matters because HS2 is so key and essential for our economy here in the West Midlands.

“It has been a catalyst for the regeneration we 've seen here in Birmingham and the wider region in recent years.

“HS2 is going to be the real driver that helps to drag us out of this Covid slump and fuel our recovery.

“It is already employing over 15,000 people now, including 500 apprentices.

“This is another shot in the arm for the whole project, it proves to some of those doubters that it is going to happen and it is very welcome during these challenging times. ”

Construction of Phase 2a is expected to support around 5,000 jobs, with many more in the supply chain.

In addition, the railway will support 140 permanent jobs at its maintenance base near Stone in Staffordshire.