HS2 route announced

Posted on November 16, 2016

The proposed High Speed rail link (HS2) has hit the headlines again after the government announced its preferred route on 15 November and started consulting on some of its plans.

Yesterday's announcement relates to Phase 2b which proceeds from Crewe to Manchester airport and the city centre and from the West Midlands to Leeds city centre, South Yorkshire and the East Midlands. Phase 2b is not expected to open until 2033. (Phase 2a of HS2 was announced last year and proceeds from the West Midlands to Crewe.)

Are you affected?

Details of the route for Phase 2b can be found in the government documents issued yesterday and listed below. It is well worth a look even if you do not think you are near enough the route to be affected. The Manchester Evening News highlighted last night that many people do not even realise their homes – or house values - might be at risk (see Many residents unaware of how HS2 will affect their homes).

Key documents to read include:

HS2 Phase 2b: command paper: the government's announcement of the preferred route for HS2 Phase 2b, completing the "Y network".

HS2 Ltd: HS2 Crewe to Manchester, West Midlands to Leeds: Route Refinement Consultation 2016 (issued 15 November 2016): this consultation seeks views on seven proposed changes to the HS2 route, from Crewe to Manchester and West Midlands to Leeds. This section of the route is referred to as 'Phase 2b'. (End date for responses is 9 March 2017)

HS2 Ltd: HS2 Crewe to Manchester, West Midlands to Leeds: Property Consultation 2016 (issued 15 November 2016): this consultation is seeking views on the property compensation and assistance schemes the Government is proposing for people affected by the plans for the Phase 2b route, from Crewe to Manchester and West Midlands to Leeds.

The government press release of 15 November 2016 announcing the HS2 route to the East Midlands, Leeds and Manchester set out by the government, summarised the plans as follows:

the government has set out its preferred route from Crewe to Manchester and the West Midlands to Leeds;
completing this phase will unlock the full benefits of HS2;
when HS2 is complete in 2033 the total number of main line commuter and intercity trains per hour each way into and out of Birmingham, Manchester and Leeds will almost double to 48 - the total number of intercity seats will treble to almost 15,000 per hour;
new £900 million contract awarded for preparatory work for the West Midlands to London route.

Contact

If you are affected by the government's HS2 proposals, get in touch with us or make an enquiry.

Please note that the information and opinions contained in this article are not intended to be comprehensive, nor to provide legal advice. No responsibility for its accuracy or correctness is assumed by Pearson Solicitors and Financial Advisers Ltd or any of its members or employees. Professional legal advice should be obtained before taking, or refraining from taking, any action as a result of this article.

This blog was posted some time ago and its contents may now be out of date. For the latest legal position relating to these issues, get in touch with the author - or make an enquiry now.