HS2 gets the Royal Assent – and moves closer to Warrington

The HS2 Phase 2a Bill was today given Royal Assent today cementing in law the Government’s commitment to bring the high-speed railway to the North – and closer to Warrington.
The Act of Parliament has been passed exactly one year after Ministers gave the project the green light. It will allow HS2 Ltd to begin work on constructing the next phase of the new high-speed railway between Crewe and Birmingham, creating thousands of jobs.
Campaigners at Culcheth are still hoping the controversial Golborne link (Golborne Spur) can be axed from the project, removing the threat of major environmental damage in the village and elsewhere in Warrington.
Construction of the first stage of the project between the West Midlands and London is already underway and is now supporting more than 15,000 jobs and 500 apprenticeships.
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said: “Whatever your view of this project, HS2 is now a reality – heading north, creating jobs and building a brighter future for our country. This vital project is at the heart of the Government’s commitments to build back better from the pandemic, tackle the North-South divide and drive growth across the country.
“The signing of the Phase 2a Bill into law is an historic milestone for this ambitious project, which is already creating and supporting thousands of jobs across the UK. I look forward to seeing spades in the ground to get this section built and deliver the benefits of high-speed rail to the North as swiftly as possible.”
HS2 Minister Andrew Stephenson said: “HS2 has been consistently backed by northern leaders, businesses and MPs, so I’m delighted that its construction to Crewe – an iconic railway town – has been signed into law.
“Construction of Phase 2a will offer a wealth of contract opportunities for local businesses and generate thousands of jobs across the region.
“Once built, HS2 will be a catalyst for regeneration for the West Midlands, Staffordshire and Cheshire, providing benefits for the great towns and cities across these regions for decades to come.”
Trevor Brocklebank, Deputy Chair of the Cheshire and Warrington LEP said: “This is a landmark moment for the Cheshire and Warrington economy. The LEP is determined to ensure that this once-in-a-generation opportunity is maximised as a major pillar for growth in the region.
“I was very pleased to speak to HS2 Minister Andrew Stephenson on a virtual roundtable where I emphasised our strong proposals for a HS2 Growth Corridor – which will deliver 8,800 jobs, 30,000 homes and 6m sq ft of commercial space – from Crewe to Warrington.
“The first Northern extension of HS2 will have a catalytic impact on Cheshire’s economy and also help deliver the levelling-up agenda, allowing us to address areas of deprivation in our region.”
Construction of the first stage of the project between the West Midlands and London is already underway and is now supporting more than 15,000 jobs and 500 apprenticeships.
Now that the Phase 2a Bill has been signed into law, HS2 Ltd will be able to start environmental works along the route with construction expected to begin on this section by 2024.
Construction of Phase 2a is expected to support around 5,000 jobs, with many more in the supply chain. In addition, the railway will support 140 permanent jobs at its maintenance base near Stone in Staffordshire.
It comes after HS2 Ltd marked National Apprenticeship Week this week by announcing that it will be directly recruiting for 30 new apprentices to join the company in September.
Once built, HS2 will become the spine of the UK’s rail network, better connecting the country’s towns and cities and boosting capacity to provide better journeys for passengers.
Early this year, the Government will publish its Integrated Rail Plan, which will outline how HS2 can work with existing rail plans and Northern Powerhouse Rail to deliver the benefits of HS2 to the East Midlands, Yorkshire and beyond.
CADRAG, the Culcheth and District Rail Action Group, argues that the Golborne Link, which would link HS2 near Lymm to the existing West Coast Main Line, north of Golborne, is too expensive – it could cost more than £3 billion – and cause immense damage to the local environment, jobs and amenities.
Culcheth and Glazebury Parish Council work with CADRAG to oppose the Golborne link because of the damage it will do to homes, businesses, environment and traffic.
Warrington North MP Charlotte Nichols has launched an online petition also opposing the Golborne Link.
Meanwhile TSSA General Secretary, Manuel Cortes, has welcomed as “absolutely vital” the go-ahead for the next phase of High Speed 2 (HS2).
Phase 2A of the rail project – from the West Midlands to Crewe – was given Royal Assent earlier today.
Cortes, the transport and travel union boss, said: “This is very welcome news because HS2 is absolutely vital for our country in so many ways. I’m delighted that those living in the areas which will be part of Phase 2A are going to see the long-term economic and green benefits of this major project.
“Make no mistake every step forward on HS2 is an important moment for Britain’s railways. High-Speed rail will deliver a state-of-the-art railway and bring much-needed capacity to our creaking infrastructure.
“When it comes to high-speed rail Britain is decades behind our European neighbours and other countries. Now we must see HS2 not only completed in full, as planned, but extended all the way to Scotland.”