High Speed Rail 2 (West Midlands - Crewe)
Bill
The purpose of the Bill is to:
-
Provide the powers to build and operate the next stage of
the High Speed Two (HS2) network (Phase 2a).
The main benefits of the Bill would
be:
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Bringing the improved connectivity of HS2 to more cities
in the north, sooner.
The main elements of the Bill are:
-
Powers to compulsorily acquire the land needed for the
railway, construct the railway, and operate it.
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Deemed planning permission to deliver the scheme. The
details of planning will be developed on a site-by-site basis
in coordination with the local planning authority.
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Setting out the way railway regulation will apply to
HS2.
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Modification, or disapplication, of existing legislation
that would apply to construction of the scheme, reflecting the
fact that the scheme will have been approved by
Parliament.
Territorial extent and application:
-
The Bill’s provisions would apply in the main to England,
with clauses 34-39 and schedule 28-29 applying and extending to
England, Wales and Scotland.
Key facts
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The Phase 2a route is 36 miles long, running from a spur
from the Phase One route, at Fradley, near Lichfield. It
connects to the West Coast Main Line south of Crewe.
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A review led by Doug Oakervee is considering HS2’s
benefits and impacts; affordability and efficiency;
deliverability; and scope and phasing, including its
relationship with Northern Powerhouse Rail.
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HS2 journeys north of Birmingham will be up to 13 minutes
faster than they will be following the construction of Phase
One of HS2.
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The journey time between Crewe and London will be cut
from 90 minutes today, to 55 minutes.
-
Trains will stop at Crewe, allowing passengers on trains
to and from Crewe to connect with HS2 services.
-
The Bill was introduced in the House of Commons in July
2017.
