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HS2 update: New community engagement public progress report, Green Corridor prospectus and construction forward looks published
We have recently published some new documents which may be of interest to you. This is part of our commitment to keeping you informed about HS2 progress and construction activities in your area .
Community engagement report: January to June 2020We have published the fifth public report that documents our progress towards being a good neighbour by putting engagement with communities at the heart of everything we do.
This report covers the six-month period from January to June 2020, and draws on a number of case studies of activity during the first half of the year, along with currently available data such as from our Helpdesk, community funding awarded and the events we have held.
View and download the Community Engagement Progress Report: January to June 2020 report. A collection of all our reports to date can be found on the HS2 website .
We will continue to publish these reports on a regular basis.
Green Corridor prospectus and mapping toolAs part of our commitment to conserve and enhance Britain’s natural environment as we plan and build the railway, HS2 is creating a Green Corridor along the route, a network of joined up habitats, landscaping and community-based environmental projects.
We have developed an online map showing where we are delivering Green Corridor activities and where additional HS2 funded environmental projects are being delivered along the route. You will be able to use the map to view relevant Community and Environment Fund (CEF) and Business and Local Economy Fund (BLEF) projects, the Woodland Fund, other local panel funds, and HS2 environmental works in your area.
We have also published a Green Corridor Prospectus to accompany the map. The prospectus outlines the many ways the Green Corridor and associated funding can benefit communities, for example, through the creation of new play facilities, investment in green spaces in urban areas, regeneration along canals, and conservation and enhancement of the historic environment.
Used together the Prospectus and the online map will enable community and environment groups to identify local opportunities to enhance and enjoy the natural environment using the funds available.
As you will know there are a number of grants available to support environmental projects and improve green spaces in your constituency, such as the HS2 Community & Environment Fund and the Woodland Fund. If you would like to know more about how local groups can apply for funding please visit www.hs2.org.uk/building-hs2/hs2-green-corridor . .
HS2 Helpdesk remains available all day, every dayAs a reminder, over the festive period the HS2 Helpdesk will continue to operate all day, every day , including Christmas Day and bank holidays. You can contact us for free on 08081 434 434, by Minicom on 08081 456 472, or by email at HS2enquiries@hs2.org.uk.
HS2 update: New community engagement public progress report, Green Corridor prospectus and construction forward looks published
We have recently published some new documents which may be of interest to you. This is part of our commitment to keeping you informed about HS2 progress and construction activities in your area .
Community engagement report: January to June 2020We have published the fifth public report that documents our progress towards being a good neighbour by putting engagement with communities at the heart of everything we do.
This report covers the six-month period from January to June 2020, and draws on a number of case studies of activity during the first half of the year, along with currently available data such as from our Helpdesk, community funding awarded and the events we have held.
View and download the Community Engagement Progress Report: January to June 2020 report. A collection of all our reports to date can be found on the HS2 website .
We will continue to publish these reports on a regular basis.
Green Corridor prospectus and mapping toolAs part of our commitment to conserve and enhance Britain’s natural environment as we plan and build the railway, HS2 is creating a Green Corridor along the route, a network of joined up habitats, landscaping and community-based environmental projects.
We have developed an online map showing where we are delivering Green Corridor activities and where additional HS2 funded environmental projects are being delivered along the route. You will be able to use the map to view relevant Community and Environment Fund (CEF) and Business and Local Economy Fund (BLEF) projects, the Woodland Fund, other local panel funds, and HS2 environmental works in your area.
We have also published a Green Corridor Prospectus to accompany the map. The prospectus outlines the many ways the Green Corridor and associated funding can benefit communities, for example, through the creation of new play facilities, investment in green spaces in urban areas, regeneration along canals, and conservation and enhancement of the historic environment.
Used together the Prospectus and the online map will enable community and environment groups to identify local opportunities to enhance and enjoy the natural environment using the funds available.
As you will know there are a number of grants available to support environmental projects and improve green spaces in your constituency, such as the HS2 Community & Environment Fund and the Woodland Fund. If you would like to know more about how local groups can apply for funding please visit www.hs2.org.uk/building-hs2/hs2-green-corridor .
HS2 Helpdesk remains available all day, every dayAs a reminder, over the festive period the HS2 Helpdesk will continue to operate all day, every day , including Christmas Day and bank holidays. You can contact us for free on 08081 434 434, by Minicom on 08081 456 472, or by email at HS2enquiries@hs2.org.uk.
HS2 Phase 2b update: Western Leg Design Refinement Consultation opens
We’ve published updated proposals for the whole of the Western Leg, including the work we’d need to do on the existing railway network to enable high speed trains to serve stations to north of Manchester, like Preston and Carlisle. We have listened to communities and stakeholders and changed some of the elements of our design to respond to the feedback.
At the same time, the Minster of State for Transport has today (Wednesday, October 7) announced the opening of a new public consultation, inviting your views on the latest proposals for Britain's new high speed railway. The public consultation runs until 11.45pm on December 11.
We are launching several new online tools to make it easier for you to access information and ask us questions, including an interactive map and a virtual exhibition room.
The updated proposals for the western leg and information about how to register for our live webinars is available at www.hs2.org.uk/phase2b .
Phase 2b Western Leg Design Refinement Consultation
We are encouraging communities to have their say on a series of proposals known as a Design Refinement Consultation. This highlights how the route from Crewe to Manchester, the Phase 2b Western Leg, is progressing to fully integrate with plans for Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR) and the wider transport network.
Our consultation focuses on four proposed modifications to the current design of the railway on the Phase 2b Western leg. The proposed changes for consultation are:
As well as the changes being consulted on, there have been a number of smaller changes to the design of the Western Leg of Phase 2b, including plans for proposed works to Preston and Carlisle stations, following ongoing design development and feedback received during previous consultations and engagement with stakeholders and communities.
Our proposals demonstrate cost efficiencies by integrating the infrastructure required to deliver NPR into the design of HS2’s Western Leg hybrid Bill. This forward-thinking approach aligns to the Government’s vision to significantly improve capacity, connectivity and reliability of the rail network across the North as quickly as possible.
Find out more and have your sayAlthough the changes only affect specific areas, everybody is welcome to respond. Details of how the design has changed in your area and the new plans can be found below.
Please click here for access to the consultation documents and for details about how to respondSafeguarding has been updated for the Western Leg of Phase 2b and we are contacting people whose property or land is affected by our proposals and arranging online or telephone appointments.
Please click here to find more information about Safeguarding Online eventsBecause public facing events are not being held in accordance with COVID-19 restrictions to ensure the safety and wellbeing of local communities, we are also supporting this public consultation through a series of live webinar events, which will allow communities to find out more about the proposals and ask questions. All sessions will be recorded and hosted on HS2 Ltd’s You Tube channel for anyone unable to attend on the day to watch again. You will need to register for these online sessions, and all details can be found on the event pages on the HS2 website .
The webinars are supported by our freephone Helpdesk, which is available 24/7. People who are unable to access the internet can call our Helpdesk to request a copy of any published document (free of charge) or arrange a phone appointment.
HS2 HelpdeskHS2 Ltd’s helpdesk is available 24/7 for questions and enquiries. You can contact the Helpdesk on Freephone 08081 434 434 , by Minicom on 08081 456 472 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk .
Community engagement report: July to December 2019
We have published the fourth public report that documents our progress towards being a good neighbour by putting engagement with communities at the heart of everything we do.
This report covers the six-month period from July to December 2019, and draws on a number of case studies of activity during the second half of the year, along with currently available data such as from our Helpdesk, community funding awarded and the events we have held.
We will continue to publish these reports on a regular basis.
The report is available to view and download here .
A collection of all our reports to date can be found here .
If you have any questions about the report, HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk .
Information about HS2 Ltd during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic
The health, safety and wellbeing of the communities along the route of the new railway, and our staff, remains our absolute priority.
Construction sitesWe are working closely with our construction partners to review the works on our construction sites in line with Government and Public Health England (PHE) advice on dealing with COVID-19. The Government’s current COVID-19 strategy makes clear that construction activity can continue as long as it complies with this guidance.
Along the overall Phase One route, between London and the West Midlands, work at some of our sites has been paused as we complete this review. Some staff may be present to make the safety assessments and to ensure the sites remain safe and secure. Those sites that are still working are doing so because they can operate within PHE and construction industry guidelines, and will be monitored and remain under constant review.
We do expect that work will restart at some of these sites where our contractors are confident that they can operate in line with PHE and industry guidance, protecting our staff and the communities in which they are working.
Community engagementWe have taken the decision to postpone all face-to-face engagement events and meetings during this period. We have been notifying local residents and putting in place alternative ways of communicating and engaging with communities over the coming weeks and months.
HS2 HelpdeskThe HS2 Helpdesk remains operational all day, every day, and will be the public’s first point of contact should they need advice or information from HS2. You can contact the Helpdesk:
If you contact us by post there will be an extended delay in us receiving and responding due to the current circumstances.
Update from HS2 regarding Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Following UK Government advice to stop non-essential contact with other people, and avoid all unnecessary travel, we have taken the decision to postpone a number of face to face engagement events and meetings. You may already have received notifications about some of these. We have made this decision to support the government aim to reduce the time spent in public places and the amount of contact between people due to the Coronavirus pandemic.
We are looking at alternative ways of engaging and communicating with you over the coming weeks and months.
The HS2 Helpdesk remains operational all day, every day, and will be your first point of contact should you need advice or information from HS2. You can contact the Helpdesk on:
Our Helpdesk Team will be in regular contact with community engagement managers, and will be able to put you in touch should you need to speak to your local team.
We apologise for any inconvenience caused.