High speed rail overview
As a county council, we remain focused on getting the best deal for Staffordshire in terms of mitigation, compensation for residents, economic benefits and improved connectivity.
We petitioned against Phase 1 (London – West Midlands) and successfully achieved the lowering of 8 km of the line in Lichfield. We also secured an assurance that the Handsacre link, connecting HS2 to the West Coast Main Line, would be constructed. This will provide the infrastructure needed for Staffordshire to receive HS2 services and benefit economically.
We also petitioned against the Phase 2a (West Midlands – Crewe) Bill in Parliament and achieved several improvements to the existing mitigation, including an assurance to lower the line of route as it passes near Kings Bromley on viaduct, and a multi-million pound package of highways improvements.
On Wednesday 21 August 2019 the Transport Secretary Grant Shapps published the terms of reference and timetable for an independent review into the High Speed 2 project, known as the Oakervee Review. This independently-led government review considered whether and how HS2 should proceed. Its report was published on 11 February 2020.
The Oakervee Review recommended that all phases of the scheme should proceed, with some changes to optimise design, reduce costs and improve governance arrangements. It recommended that the Handsacre Link, connecting HS2 to the West Coast Mainline and enabling Stafford and Stoke-on-Trent to receive a high-speed service to London, be removed. However, this recommendation was not accepted by government.
What are the timescales for this phase?
The Phase One hybrid bill was submitted to parliament in November 2013. It has completed the Parliamentary process in both houses and received Royal Assent in February 2017. Royal Assent is when the Queen formally agrees to make the Bill an Act of Parliament. It granted deemed planning permission for the construction, operation and maintenance of HS2 Phase One.
Construction is now in progress. The Notice to Proceed, which gives formal approval for commencement of the main civil engineering works, was given by government on 15 April 2020. HS2 Ltd have stated that construction will be undertaken in line with Public Health England advice during the coronavirus outbreak.
On the same day, the Department for Transport published an updated Full Business Case for High Speed 2 Phase One, setting out the strategic and economic case for the project.
The line is expected to open to passengers between 2029 - 2033.
For more information please visit the HS2 website.
What will the new line do?
Link London to the West Midlands with a connection onto the West Coast Main Line at Handsacre in Lichfield. In Staffordshire, the railway will pass through Lichfield District and through the Parishes of Drayton Bassett, Hints, Weeford, Swinfen and Packington, Whittington, Fradley and Streethay, and Kings Bromley. The 12-mile railway through Lichfield joins the West Coast Main Line near to Handsacre.
‘Classic compatible’ high speed services will run from Stoke-on-Trent and Stafford, starting on the West Coast Main Line then joining the high-speed line via the Handsacre link.
Find out about the environmental impact of the new line.
Can I petition against this phase?
No, petitioning on Phase One has now closed. Petitions made against the bill are on the HS2 bill select committee website.
As a result of our petition we received four assurances from HS2 Ltd. We continue to work through the remaining items in our petition to reach the best possible outcome.
View the assurances and undertakings.
Can I claim compensation?
The residents’ charter and further information on the compensation schemes are available on the GOV.UK website.
HS2 Phase 2 Cancelled
The Prime Minister announced at the Conservative Party Conference, 4 October 2023, that he will cancel HS2 Phase 2. This will include all Northern legs of the route: Phase 2a, Phase 2b and HS2 East.
There are many unresolved questions concerning the cancelled part of the route in Staffordshire and updates will follow when we have more clarity.
HS2 Phase One has been unaffected to our knowledge and it has been confirmed that the Handsacre link will go ahead as planned.
The £36bn due to be spent on HS2 Phase 2 will instead be used on various transport infrastructure projects known as ‘Network North’.
What's the latest?
The Prime Minister announced at the Conservative Party Conference, 4 October 2023, that he will cancel HS2 Phase 2. This will include all Northern legs of the route: Phase 2a, Phase 2b and HS2 East.
Where is the route going?
View the Phase One Route through Staffordshire.
There are many unresolved questions concerning the cancelled part of the route in Staffordshire and updates will follow when we have more clarity.
HS2 Phase One has been unaffected to our knowledge and it has been confirmed that the Handsacre link will go ahead as planned.
What are we doing?
We are:
- Engaging with HS2 Ltd. to help get the best deal for Staffordshire.
- Continuing to invest in our current infrastructure.
- Talking to parish councils, local groups and residents to make sure the Government and HS2 Ltd. hear our concerns through the construction phase.
- Supporting affected communities at HS2 Ltd. organised and other community meetings.
- Delivering our statutory role under the Acts.
Local Authorities Statutory Role
The Act grants deemed planning permission for construction, maintenance and operation of the railway. It establishes a planning regime in Schedule 17 under which certain detailed planning matters are reserved for local authority approval. As the Highway Authority/Minerals and Waste Planning Authority some of these detailed planning matters will fall to the county council. These are:
Plans and specifications and construction arrangements about waste and soil disposal and excavation of bulk materials from borrow pits. Grounds for refusal are limited.
Construction arrangements comprising lorry routing. It is important to note that HS2 Ltd or their contractors must only seek approval for routes when there are more than 24 heavy vehicle movements per day (in either direction). The grounds on which we can refuse lorry route arrangements are also limited.
Under Schedule 4 Part 1 of the Highways Act, Staffordshire County Council has 28 days notice from HS2 to oppose plans within the Act Limits. This can include opposing the alteration of highway used by vehicular traffic and providing an alternate place which would reduce injury to local amenity and effects on road safety. More information on Grounds Refusal can be found. All other planning matters for approval under the Planning Conditions Schedule (Schedule 17) are approved by the relevant district or borough council.
Complaints should be directed to HS2 Ltd.
How do I contact SCC on HS2 related matters?
Please email hs2enquiries@staffordshire.gov.uk