High Speed 2 – Further information

The Government’s broad timetable for HS2 may be summarised as:-

HS2 – Phase 1 – London to West Midlands
28th February – 29th July 2011	Public consultation
Later in 2011	Secretary of State announcement on Government’s decision following consultation.
October 2013	Government introduces Hybrid Bill into Parliament seeking approval
Early 2015	Parliament grants Royal Assent to the Hybrid Bill
Early in next Parliament	Construction commences
2026	HS2 between London and West Midlands is operational
HS2 – Phase 2

HS2 – Phase 1 – West Midlands to Leeds and Manchester, and also link to Heathrow
2011	HS2 between London and West Midlands is operational Public consultation
2012	Public consultation
Dates not yet determined	Secretary of State announcement on Government’s decision following consultation.
	Government introduces Hybrid Bill into Parliament seeking approval .
	Parliament grants Royal Assent to the Hybrid Bill. Construction commences
	Construction commences HS2 between London and West Midlands is operational
2032/33	Phase 2 is operational

A range of further information on HS2 is available on the following websites:-

• Dept for Transport website (Opens new window to external site)
• HS2 Ltd website (Opens new window to external site)

Following earlier consultation, the Government subsequently launched its Exceptional Hardship Scheme. This is a voluntary purchase scheme designed to assist certain property owners whose properties may be affected by the proposed route for HS2 between London and the West Midlands, and who urgently need to sell their properties before any final decision on a high speed rail line is taken. The property would need to be on or in the vicinity of the Government’s preferred route. Further information is available below.

• Exceptional Hardship Scheme (Opens new window to external site)