HS2 chief pledges ‘no let-up’ after Manchester left empty-handed

manchestereveningnews.co.uk:

There will be 'no let-up' in the construction of HS2 next year, according to the high-speed rail project's boss. HS2 Ltd executive chair Sir Jon Thompson said the 'transformational' rail line between London and the West Midlands will be aided by the transition towards railway systems – such as track and signalling.

It comes after a separate leg stretching north to Manchester and Leeds was cut earlier this year due to costs. Experts have warned the decision to cancel phase two of the project would have knock-on effects for the rest of the century. READ MORE: Mum noticed tot's clothes were 'falling off him...' now he's lucky to be alive READ MORE: Christmas Day horror crash on M60 as driver falls asleep at wheel after 12-hour shift A series of construction milestones on the London to Birmingham leg are expected to take place early in 2024.

Formal work on central Birmingham’s new Curzon Street station will begin and the first of two machines digging a 10-mile long twin-bore tunnel under the Chiltern Hills will complete its journey.

Eleven contracts worth a total of about £5 billion will be awarded by HS2 Ltd for railway systems next year. These will cover the installation of features such as tracks, signalling, power supplies and overhead wires, and building a control centre in Birmingham.