4 Features
An Update on HS2 and its Importance to Rail Operations
HS2 is one of CIRO ' s corporate members and Benjamin Rule , Infrastructure Management Director at HS2 is one of CIRO ' s Board members .
Why Is HS2 Important ?
HS2 is a vitally important addition to the national transport infrastructure . Key parts of our existing railways are full and HS2 will provide much needed additional rail capacity . This capacity will facilitate growth of freight traffic and will allow additional local , regional and commuter services to operate on the existing rail network . As a new backbone of the national rail network HS2 will connect eight out of the ten largest cities in the country . Faster and more efficient services will help to bring Britain closer together , helping to spread wealth across the country .
Ben Rule
Infrastructure Management Director
The most effective way to cut transport carbon emissions in the UK is to invest in rail including HS2 . By providing additional capacity and by improving connectivity HS2 will attract people out of their cars and off domestic flights and will take lorries off our congested roads . Journeys on HS2 will have carbon emissions 7 times smaller than a car journey and 17 times less than a domestic air journey . Rail freight reduces carbon emissions by 76 % compared to road transport .
The case for HS2 is not changed by our experience with Covid . We are already seeing that demand is returning to our railways . A well-connected , high capacity rail network providing low carbon journeys remains a priority for the country . HS2 has also been an important part of the recovery from the pandemic with 20,000 jobs currently supported by the programme and further recruitment expected as the work continues .
Progress With HS2
On 4th September 2020 the Prime Minister visited the future site of Birmingham Interchange station to formally announce the start of construction . For HS2 this was a hugely exciting moment . After 10 years of development and preparatory work we could start to build the new railway .
The first of HS2 ’ s tunnel boring machines ( called Florence after Florence Nightingale ) has commenced its drive under the Chilterns and is now over a mile through the chalk . It will take three years to complete the 10 mile long bore . Tunnelling is also about to commence on another tunnel further north at Long Itchington in Warwickshire .
Construction of Old Oak Common station started in June 2021 . The design and build contract for Curzon Street station in Birmingham has also started . The contract for Birmingham Interchange station will be let in 2022 . Tenders for the rail systems packages such as track , overhead line and signalling are now being released and this will be a key focus over the next 2 years . Despite a number of legal challenges it is expected that the contract for the rolling stock will be awarded in the autumn .
HS2 and Railway Operations
HS2 is a huge construction programme and it is an important contribution to economic growth . It is also an exciting opportunity to show how railways can be made safer , more reliable and more efficient . This is where HS2 is drawing on the experience of existing railway operators to inform how the railway is designed and how it will be operated . The Infrastructure Management team in HS2 focus on operating and maintaining the future infrastructure . West Coast Partner provide Train Operating expertise on the programme . HS2 also works in partnership with railway operators in Network Rail to ensure that the completed railway provides a seamless end to end journey on HS2 and the existing rail network .
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“ HS2 is a huge construction programme and it is an important contribution to economic growth . It is an important contribution to economic growth . But it is also an exciting opportunity to show how railways can be made safer , more reliable and more efficient .”
Chartered Institution of Railway Operators ’ @ CIRO _ UK