HS2 construction formally begins with 'shovels in the ground' moment
HS2 will connect London with the West Midlands and the north, and is one of the biggest infrastructure projects ever taken on.
Friday 4 September 2020 09:30, UK
Construction on HS2, the controversial high-speed railway, will get under way today, with the government calling it a "shovels in the ground" moment.
HS2 Ltd, the government-owned company behind the scheme, has not revealed the site where work will begin.
Mr Johnson claimed the project was set to create about 22,000 jobs with construction "now formally under way".
He added: "As the spine of our country's transport network, the project will be vital in boosting connectivity between our towns and cities."
A government-commissioned review warned last year that the final bill for HS2 could reach £106bn at 2019 prices.
Despite already running billions over budget and years behind schedule, the PM gave HS2 the go ahead in February.
The project was given a revised budget and schedule as part of his decision.
HS2 will connect London with the West Midlands, Leeds and Manchester, and is the largest infrastructure project in Europe.
The aim is to run 18 trains an hour in each direction to and from London - at speeds of up to 224mph - compared to between two and six an hour on Europe's high-speed railways.
It involves the construction of more than 300 bridges and 70 viaducts for the London-West Midlands phase alone.
There will also be six new stations including Birmingham Curzon Street, and extensions for London Euston and Manchester Piccadilly.
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But there are environmental concerns, with a report from the Woodland Trust warning earlier this year that HS2 will damage or destroy 108 ancient woodlands, five internationally protected wildlife sites, and 693 local wildlife areas.
HS2 Ltd has said the construction will not impact bio-diversity as it plans to create a "green corridor" alongside the line.
Last month a couple told Sky News how their 17th century home was set to be demolished due to HS2.
Ron and Anne Ryall signed over the property - once visited by Queen Elizabeth I - in Uxbridge, west London, to the high-speed network after losing a seven-year battle to keep their home.
"It's like having my stomach ripped out," said Mr Ryall.
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said Friday's HS2 event "marks a major milestone in this government's ambitions to build back better from COVID-19".
He added: "Shovels in the ground to deliver this new railway means thousands of jobs building the future of our country's infrastructure.
"This fantastic moment is what leaders across the North and Midlands have called for - action to level up our country by boosting capacity on our railways, improving connections between our regions, and spreading prosperity."
HS2 Ltd chief executive Mark Thurston said: "After 10 years of development and preparatory work, today we can formally announce the start of full construction, unlocking thousands of jobs and supply chain opportunities across the project."