Review of HS2 London to West Midlands route selection and speed

A report to Government by HS2 Ltd

Publisher:Department for Transport
Publication type:Report
Published date: 10 January 2012
Mode/topic:Rail, High speed rail

Executive summary

This is HS2 Ltd’s advice to Government which examines, following consultation, the route selection process we adopted leading to identification of the consultation route for the first phase of HS2 between London and the West Midlands.

It examines a number of components of the scheme such as station choice, the case for intermediate stations, options for connecting to Heathrow and the location of an infrastructure maintenance depot.

It also examines the view expressed during consultation that, by more closely following existing transport corridors, or adopting a lower design speed on the consultation route, the impacts between London and the West Midlands, in particular environmental impacts, could be reduced.

This report considers the case for alternative corridors. Comparisons are made with the consultation route. However, in addition to this advice we have recommended a number of revisions to the consultation route that would further reduce sustainability impacts and construction costs.

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