It may have fallen from the news agenda in recent weeks but the Government has signalled that the first stage of HS2 will go ahead after it gave Companies the green light to begin construction.
HS2 Minister Andrew Stephenson said: “While the Government’s top priority is rightly to combat the spread of coronavirus, protect the NHS and save lives, we cannot delay work on our long-term plan to level up the country.
“HS2 will be the spine of the country’s transport network, boosting capacity and connectivity while also re-balancing opportunity fairly across our towns and cities.
“Following the decision earlier this year to proceed with the project, this next step provides thousands of construction workers and businesses across the country with certainty at a time when they need it, and means that work can truly begin on delivering this transformational project.”
HS2, in turn, has now signed off four major civils contracts, worth a total of £12bn.
A dozen firms involved can now start work immediately, progressing detailed design, site preparation works and placing key subcontracts.
Mark Thurston, CEO of HS2, said: “In these difficult times, today’s announcement represents both an immediate boost to the construction industry – and the many millions of UK jobs that the industry supports – and an important investment in Britain’s future
“HS2 has been over ten years in development and design.”
He added: “While the country’s focus is rightly on defeating COVID-19, the issuing of Notice to Proceed today ensures that our contractors and their supply chains have the confidence that they can commit to building HS2, generating thousands of skilled jobs across the country as we recover from the pandemic.”
