High speed rail network given the green light

Date: 11/1/2012

A high speed rail network, called HS2, will be established in the UK by 2026, the government has revealed.

Transport Secretary Justine Greening announced the Y-shaped network will be capable of transporting up to 26,000 passengers every hour, with trains travelling at 250mph.

HS2 will link stations in London, Birmingham, Leeds, Manchester, Sheffield and the East Midlands, while high-speed trains will also connect other transport hubs such as Newcastle, Liverpool, York and Preston to link the east and west coast main lines.

Ms Greening said: "HS2 will link some of our greatest cities - and high speed trains will connect with our existing railway lines to provide seamless journeys to destinations far beyond it."

She added that the decision to go ahead with the proposals is not one she has taken lightly and much of the line will be out of sight to avoid disruption to those affected by the route.

HS2 will be constructed in two phases, with a 140-mile route built between London and Birmingham by 2026 and further lines linking Birmingham to Leeds and Manchester finished by 2033.

It will use technology developed in France and Germany to meet guidance and specifications set out by the European Union.

Posted by Mary Treen