The parliament of the UK has passed High Speed 2 rail Phase 2a: High-Speed Rail (West Midlands to Crewe) Bill has been given Royal Assent, cementing in law the government’s commitment to bring the new high-speed railway to the north.

The act of Parliament was passed exactly 1 year after ministers gave the project the green light and will allow HS2 Ltd to begin work to construct the next phase of the new high-speed railway between Crewe and Birmingham, creating thousands of jobs.

Parliament’s approval for this new phase of HS2 plugs the line into one of the country’s principal rail hubs in Crewe. It also means the 58km (36miles) route will be built earlier than originally planned, enabling towns and cities across north western England, north Wales and Scotland to benefit sooner, with the opening now planned to coincide with Phase One between London and the West Midlands.  

Construction of the first stage of the project between the West Midlands and London is already underway and now supporting more than 15,000 jobs and 500 apprenticeships.

The announcement comes alongside the launch of the West Midlands Combined Authority’s HS2 Growth Strategy, which outlines how the new railway could generate 175,000 jobs and GBP20 billion (USD27.80 billion) investment in the region.

The construction work expected to begin on this section by 2024.