Towards the end of last month, Royal Assent was granted to the HS2 Bill; this covers the first phase of the planned line (from London to Birmingham), which is scheduled to open in 2026.
Bob Sleigh, chairman of the West Midlands Combined Authority, said: “Royal Assent is important, because it makes HS2 an absolute reality, and that means the West Midlands can now fully deliver its HS2 ambitions.
“Those ambitions have a clear focus on jobs, apprenticeships, major investment at the two station sites — in Solihull and Birmingham — and millions of pounds of contract opportunities for West Midlands SMEs.”
HS2 Ltd has opened its construction headquarters in Birmingham city centre and plans to eventually employ up to 1,300 people, while the National College for High Speed Rail, which will train high-speed rail engineers, will open in September.
Steve Hollis, chairman of Greater Birmingham and Solihull LEP, said: “This is our time. We have Royal Assent, the confidence of investors and the Government, an ambitious strategy and a clear investment plan. I look forward to working with partners on making it happen.”