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Early visualisation of an HS2 train -December 2021

Boosting growth with better journeys

HS2 is Britain’s new high-speed railway that supports the government’s number one mission: growth. When it’s fully operational, the line will connect London and Birmingham in just 49 minutes. This will create better journeys for passengers.

The railway links our two biggest economic centres, connects people with jobs and is attracting major investment before services begin.

HS2 provides benefits for everyone: faster, more reliable journeys for passengers; better connections to markets and people for businesses; and investment in infrastructure and skills for local communities.

Each day, thousands of extra seats on HS2 trains will free up space across the network – for improved local services and freight.

Right now, more than 33,000 construction workers and over 3,500 UK businesses are creating the foundations for our future rail network.

Explore the ways we’re boosting economic growth

Building the railway

We’re making progress building the main infrastructure for the new line. We’ve completed 80% of tunnelling and are working on major bridges, viaducts and embankments, and HS2’s new stations.

Next, we’ll install the rail systems – track, power and signalling – to make the railway operational.

HS2 is the biggest upgrade to the network in over 100 years. We’re working with communities along the route to minimise disruption during construction.

Find out more about building the railway and the work taking place across the route.

Jobs and skills

HS2 is building a workforce that will benefit industry for generations and breaking down barriers to opportunity. We’re opening up skilled careers in construction, engineering and manufacturing, helping more people find jobs.

A screenshot showing the HS2 interactive map in action

HS2 route

HS2 connects London Euston and Birmingham Curzon Street, with stations in west London at Old Oak Common and Interchange in Solihull.

The line extends north of Birmingham to Handsacre in Staffordshire. Here, HS2 trains will connect to the West Coast Main Line for the North West and Scotland.

You can explore the route and see what we’re building along 140 miles of track.

Explore the route

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