HS2 will provide more track, more trains, more seats and faster journeys to improve performance and reliability across Britain’s rail network.
United Kingdom
- Tweets 9,917
- Following 1,116
- Followers 41,787
- Likes 3,060
The Green Party’s opposition to HS2 is opposition to low carbon rail and new public transport. The full HS2 network will remove 4.8m car journeys and 1.2m domestic flights by 2050. Here is our response to Siân Berry’s appearance on Andrew Marr today:
73
224
1,003
A new £1bn tram line is set to reshape #Birmingham, starting from our new Curzon Street station.
It’ll travel through Digbeth, pass the upcoming Digbeth Loc studios, and head to the new £2.9 billion @BCFC and sports quarter in Bordesley Green.
The @midlandtram east side tram extension project will further support Birmingham's transformation into a thriving hub for business, investment, transport, and sport.
HS2 isn’t just a railway, it’s a catalyst for economic and urban transformation, with the tram line being a prime example.
Find out more here 👉hs2.org.uk/hs2itwm
£1bn tram plan connecting Birmingham city centre to Blues and airport - all we know so far
birminghammail.co.uk/news/mi…
40
164
1,024
520,842
HS2 puts direct intercity services onto dedicated high speed lines, freeing up space for commuter train services to run on the country’s most heavily congested rail routes. Find out more: hs2.org.uk/why/
104
142
615
435,976
Challenge the lie that HS2 will destroy 108 woodlands. To support 500,000 UK jobs and deliver a low carbon, high capacity, better connected transformation of our railways, there are some upfront limited impacts. But let’s look at how limited they are:
1/14
119
187
556
We have unearthed what is thought to be the world’s oldest #railway roundhouse at #Birmingham Curzon Street station. Designed by 19th century engineer Robert Stephenson, it was first operational in 1837, predating the current titleholder of ‘world’s oldest’ by almost 2 years.
22
164
561
New images reveal the #ColneValleyViaduct after the completion of civil engineering works.
At 2.1 miles long, the viaduct is now Britain's longest rail bridge and will carry the high-speed line over roads, lakes, and the #GrandUnionCanal.
An incredible feat of engineering👇📸
ALT Colne Valley Viaduct
ALT Colne Valley Viaduct
ALT Colne Valley Viaduct
18
58
572
72,197
Revealed👀! Enhanced designs for #Birmingham Curzon Street Station.
Improved features include additional cycle parking, better accessibility, rain gardens with seating, and a more passenger-friendly internal layout. Learn more: gloo.to/FvrE
26
39
503
46,711
.@transportgovuk has approved HS2 to issue Notice to Proceed (NtP) to our main civils contractors. It's a major boost to the construction sector, securing and creating thousands of jobs, particularly for small & medium sizes businesses across the UK
gapi.io/6QhE
1/4
63
125
468
The 2.1-mile-long deck of the Colne Valley Viaduct is complete, marking another major milestone for the project😮!
Building work on the viaduct’s deck began in May 2022. Over the following 28 months a dedicated team of highly skilled engineers used a massive launching girder to lower into place the bridge’s 1,000 uniquely shaped deck segments. Learn more: gloo.to/F1Ab
16
62
442
74,297
There is a huge amount of false and misleading information about #HS2 on social media. Below is a myth buster thread which corrects some of the most repeated misconceptions about the project…
66
175
412
Britain’s longest railway bridge is edging closer to structural completion 🙌
Our teams have hit three milestones in constructing Britain’s longest railway bridge so far, in 2025.
Find out more 🧵👇.
ALT Colne Valley Viaduct
10
31
454
173,130
Our record-breaking 3.4km long viaduct across the Colne Valley won in the engineering category of the Fine Art Commission Trust’s third annual Building Beauty award 🏆🎉. Judges described it as an engineering and design “tour de force that despite its scale… treads lightly, skimming over the water” .💧👇
Learn more: gloo.to/FuCi
ALT HS2 Colne Valley viaduct scoops prestigious design award
ALT HS2 Colne Valley viaduct scoops prestigious design award
ALT HS2 Colne Valley viaduct scoops prestigious design award
ALT HS2 Colne Valley viaduct scoops prestigious design award
17
39
438
33,962
New plans for Digbeth have been unveiled by @bhamcitycouncil with Curzon Street Station at the centre of the regeneration 🏙️
Plans include new housing and leisure developments, an extended tramline and a new Sports Quarter by @BCFC owners.
Read more 👇
ow.ly/PnFu50W04Rg
9
50
456
74,806
Modern railways like HS2 are designed to withstand extreme cold.
Moveable sections of the line that allow trains to switch tracks can freeze in cold weather ❄️🚄. All HS2 points will be fitted with a heating system that is automatically activated when temperatures drop below a certain level. This ensures that they will keep working, even in icy weather, helping to maintain the railway's punctual operation. #WinterResilience
19
24
434
26,189
We’ve completed the last section of earthworks that will carry East West Rail (EWR) services between Oxford and Cambridge over the new high-speed line, near Calvert in Buckinghamshire 🤩
12
37
391
100,186
We’re building a railway to serve the needs of Britain for the next 100 years and beyond 🚆
HS2 will add vital capacity to the existing rail network creating thousands of extra seats and space for more local, commuter and freight services.
Learn more: hs2.org.uk/why/capacity/
88
93
368
64,222
Exciting news for Britain's second city, #Birmingham 👇🤩
US investment firm Knighthead Capital Management is bringing £100M to East Birmingham to build a brand-new sports quarter! ⚽
- 60,000-seat stadium – the new home for @BCFC
- State-of-the-art sporting facilities
- Commercial & residential spaces
- 8,400 new jobs created
This project will further support Birmingham in becoming a thriving hub for business, investment, transport & now sport.
HS2 isn’t just a railway, it’s a catalyst for economic and urban transformation📈, with the sports quarter being a prime example.
Find out more here 👉hs2.org.uk/hs2itwm
#HS2ITWM #WestMidlands #Birmingham
Tom Brady and Knighthead Capital’s Tom Wagner are betting billions on Birmingham City Football Club – and on the city itself. Watch tonight on "Wall Street Week" at 6 p.m. ET bloom.bg/46pBj7m
9
39
373
79,631
Final Birmingham tunnel breakthrough 🎥👇
A giant tunnelling machine being used to dig HS2’s Birmingham approach tunnels broke through today, marking the completion of major tunnel excavation between #OldOakCommon and the #WestMidlands.
Learn more: gloo.to/Fx1l
16
52
365
30,667
More exciting news for @Birmingham! 👇🤩
US investment firm Knighthead Capital Management is bringing £100M to East Birmingham to build a brand-new sports quarter! ⚽
- 60,000-seat stadium🏟️ – the new home for @BCFC
- State-of-the-art sporting facilities 🏸
- Commercial & residential spaces 🏡
- 8,400 new jobs created! 👫
With Curzon Street Station nearby, and the @midlandtram, East side Tram Extension, this project will further support Birmingham into becoming a thriving hub for business, investment, transport & now sport.
HS2 isn’t just a railway, it’s a catalyst for economic and urban transformation, with the sports quarter being a prime example.
Find out more here 👉hs2.org.uk/hs2itwm
#HS2ITWM #WestMidlands #Birmingham
📣 NEWS: US firm Knighthead Capital Management has invested £100m into a regeneration project in East Birmingham, creating a new stadium, commercial spaces & generating thousands of new jobs for the region 👉 gov.uk/government/news/birmi…
@jreynoldsMP #UKIndustrialStrategy
16
45
357
90,925
Hop on board the first completed tunnel on the HS2 project🤩!
The Long Itchington Tunnel preserves the ancient woodland above and is a vital part of how we manage environmental impacts through the design of the railway.
#WorldEngineeringDay
34
23
317
90,170
Today, we are celebrating the world's longest box slide 🎉. The 12,600-tonne, Marston Box bridge slid a record, 165 metres into position over the M42 in #Warwickshire 😲. Find out more: gloo.to/6oxr
21
58
322
96,136
HS2 track is being built to withstand a one in 1,000-year flood event. It will be the only mainline in the UK to use concrete slab track - ensuring water is drained away swiftly, preventing erosion, instability and reducing the risk of disruptions.
ow.ly/NU0o50TCYLI🔗
17
29
302
41,328
Today marks the start of #construction across #HS2 with 22,000 new #jobs on the project, playing a major part in Britain’s economic recovery... with more big #contracts to come. Find out more: gapi.io/6X00
66
75
301
Today’s claims by @WildlifeTrusts are incorrect and based on unreliable data from limited desk research. #HS2’s data is independently verified, accurate and reliable from extensive, detailed surveys by expert ecologists out in the field, on huge areas of land.
53
40
274
89,112
Construction of our Colne Valley Viaduct passes the halfway mark to becoming Britain's longest railway bridge 🤩. Each one of the 1,000 deck segments is uniquely shaped and enables the structure to gently curve to carry the railway over land and water. Watch now 👇
30
39
266
42,636
MPs give the go-ahead for the next phase of #HS2, accelerating it north. Building Phase 2a from #Birmingham to #Crewe also supports at least 5000 #jobs. Find out how it will benefit places like #Liverpool, #Manchester, #Preston, #Carlisle and #Glasgow. gloo.to/6Lru
21
73
273
Florence, our first tunnelling machine, has broken through! 🤩
The enormous 2,000 tonne machine has completed its 10-mile journey under the #Chilterns, marking another huge milestone for the project 🎉.
Learn more: gloo.to/6p5v
#TBMBreakthrough #HS2
35
48
271
345,162
We removed a 4,000 tonne two-span bridge over the M42 at the weekend. The planned 56 hour operation was completed 14 hours ahead of schedule 🎉
Read more here: mediacentre.hs2.org.uk/news/…
9
44
283
80,740
FACTCHECK: Claims that HS2 won’t be carbon neutral for 120 years are wrong. This figure is nearly a decade out of date and did not take into account a huge amount of vital information. Beware accounts using this figure. MORE 👇
36
63
254
New Video Alert 📣🎥
We've completed four huge piers for the 150-metre-long superstructure which will take high-speed trains🚄 in and out of #Birmingham 🤩.
Nicknamed the “#Bellingham Bridge”, it's designed to celebrate the area’s industrial heritage and make a striking addition to the skyline. Learn more: gloo.to/F8Oc
10
38
280
34,023
We’ve hit another milestone on the project as the first passenger platforms are installed at Old Oak Common station.
Engineers have begun installing the platform slabs which passengers will use when boarding or alighting trains in the future.
More here: ow.ly/qM0150W0UQh
ALT First platforms installed at HS2's Old Oak Common station for HS2 trains
ALT First platforms installed at HS2's Old Oak Common station for HS2 trains
ALT First platforms installed at HS2's Old Oak Common station for HS2 trains
8
27
291
18,643
Major boost for UK train-building as HS2’s state-of-the-art fleet of 225mph (360km/h) high speed trains will be built by Alstom and Hitachi Rail at their factories in County Durham, Derby and Crewe.
18
91
263
📣 Our record breaking 2.1-miles long Colne Valley Viaduct, the UK's longest railway bridge, is now structurally complete.
Following installation of the final giant concrete pre-cast deck segment in September 2024, our construction partners Align JV, and their expert supply chain, has completed installation of:
✅ 1,514 parapets and 4-metre-high noise barriers on each side of the viaduct
✅ 4 miles of robust kerb with over 3,600m3 of concrete poured
✅ A high-performance waterproofing membrane
✅ Internal drainage systems and structural health monitoring systems
Congratulations to all those involved in reaching this important milestone in the delivery of Britain’s new high-speed railway.
#ColneValley #Viaduct #infrastructure #engineering #HS2
15
40
286
16,890
Today we celebrate our first #tunnelling breakthrough 🎉 🥳. Our giant 125m long tunnel boring machine (TBM) ‘Dorothy’ has broken through the wall of the reception box at the Long Itchington, South Portal site in #Warwickshire. Find out more: gloo.to/6HsH
10
41
248
If only #Manchester had #HS2 today… You’d have been able to do it in one hour and 11 mins 🚄💨
Pep Guardiola: "Coming from Manchester to London, it's like going to northern Europe. It's 4hrs 20mins to get to a hotel. It's so exhausting, I'm sorry." [via @spbajko]
30
27
245
51,876
A giant steel bridge weighing 1,631 tonnes is ready to be moved into place over Lawley Middleway in central #Birmingham.
The 112m long structure will be moved during night-time operations and will form part of the one mile stretch of five connected viaducts bringing high-speed trains into Curzon Street Station.
Learn more: gloo.to/F75v
ALT Lawley Middleway ready for the move
ALT Lawley Middleway ready for the move
ALT Lawley Middleway ready for the move
ALT Lawley Middleway ready for the move
13
35
277
23,981
Here are some recent 📸's to share with you.
📷 An aerial still of the Colne Valley Viaduct.
📷 The team celebrating the completion of TBM Caroline's 5-mile journey under the capital.
📷 Curzon Street, Lawley Middleway Viaduct in Birmingham.
#HS2InPictures
9
27
269
13,503
Hop on board our one-mile-long tunnel.
The 33-metre below-ground, Long Itchington Wood Tunnel in Warwickshire is the first completed tunnel on the HS2 project🤩.
#StBarbarasDay #NationalTunnellingDay
17
28
241
The choice is not HS2 or local rail upgrades. HS2 will be the largest upgrade to local services this country has seen in generations. The choice is clear: more people in low carbon rail or more people in cars and on planes. Learn more about how #HS2 helps: hs2.org.uk/why/carbon/
11
35
228
HS2’s budget is spread over 30 years and is less than current annual roads & rail budgets. We'll create 30% more habitat, help decarbonise public transport, better connect Midlands and Northern towns and support 500,000 jobs. Find out the facts and avoid misinformation.
1/10
60
57
226
HS2 respects the right to peaceful, lawful protest. However, we must correct the incorrect and misleading information about the #HS2 project, such as false claims that entire woodlands are being destroyed.
1/13
83
65
226
Twenty user groups have participated in testing as part of a programme to design HS2's new high-speed trains.
The groups, including those with reduced mobility, cyclists and young families, have been invited to experience life-sized wooden mock-ups of the trains - helping engineers understand the levels of ease, accessibility and comfort.
Find out more: gloo.to/F5FL
@HitachiRailENG @Alstom
142
25
235
547,936
HS2 will impact just 0.29 sq km of ancient woodlands. Accounts claiming HS2 will destroy 108 woodlands are spreading misinformation and are entirely wrong. Their incorrect claims include woods such this one, which is over 3km away from HS2. That's the M6 motorway in between…
29
47
226
HS2 trains will be powered by zero carbon energy, offering a cleaner alternative to long distance car journeys and domestic flights. Passengers will enjoy zero carbon journeys from day one of operation. This is just one part of our #NetZero Plan. Find out more: hs2.org.uk/carbon
35
36
225
37,379
HS2’s longest and deepest tunnels will be driven from the 136 acre South Portal site. There will be two 10 mile long bores reaching 90m deep. They’ll carry HS2 trains under the Chiltern hills on their way to Birmingham, Scotland and the north of England.
15
32
210
Britain's new high-speed railway requires thorough testing before we can welcome passengers onboard. 🚄
In our new schedule we're prioritising the completion of a 50-mile test area from Washwood Heath to Wendover Green Tunnel – the first key step in turning HS2 into an operational railway.
This approach, informed by lessons from Crossrail, means we can begin testing trains, track and systems whilst construction continues on other sections of the route.
Read more about our phased testing approach in our latest blog👉ow.ly/Ki7m50Xoo6F
ALT Map showing HS2 high-speed rail testing route from London to West Midlands with key points like Washwood Heath depot and Wendover Green Tunnel portal.
8
28
242
46,234
Our engineering teams have successfully moved a massive 1,631 tonne steel bridge into place over Lawley Middleway in Birmingham finishing 4 days ahead of schedule 🤩
The structure is the first piece of the one mile stretch of viaducts that will carry high-speed trains into Birmingham Curzon Street Station. Using night-time operations, we minimised disruption while our teams worked with specialist contractors to slide the bridge into position.
🎥 Watch the video here: ow.ly/fV8E50WJoYp
#HS2 #Engineering #Birmingham #Infrastructure #Railway
9
25
244
15,401
#HS2’s 225mph high-speed trains will be built by @AlstomUK and @HitachiRailENG. The joint venture will build a fleet of 54 trains at factories in County #Durham, #Derby and #Crewe, supporting 2,500 #jobs. Click for more news about the #trains: gloo.to/6fRD
ALT A early visualisation of the HS2 high speed train travelling at speed. The train cab is visible.
16
55
214
It’s a shame on #WorldCarFreeDay to see opposition to low carbon public transport that will get people out of vehicles and off domestic flights. #HS2 is helping combat climate change and there are Green Party members who agree like @Greens4HS2
21
32
196
HS2 will provide an upgrade for the entire UK rail network and will improve your journey, even if you don’t use the high speed line. Find out more in this video: piped.video/xwOxwG-od6E
41
99
215
Over 40% of the first phase of HS2 is already complete ✅
Our latest project update video highlights some major construction milestones we've achieved in the summer.
Watch the full video here: piped.video/watch?v=sJkIJdgp…
ALT Image of HS2 Chief Executive with Birmingham Curzon Street Station in the background.
71
36
214
40,059
Named after nursing pioneer #FlorenceNightingale, our first tunnel boring machine has today started to dig a 10 mile #tunnel under the Chiltern hills, safeguarding woodland and wildlife habitats in the Chilterns AONB. Find out more about our TBMs here: hs2.org.uk/building-hs2/tunn…
ALT Image showing tunnel boring machine Florence from the front to back
ALT Image showing tunnel boring machine Florence from back to front
ALT Aerial shot showing tunnel boring machine Florence from back to front
ALT Image showing tunnel boring machine Florence assembled in the factory
15
27
207
The first completed section of Curzon 3 viaduct👇👀.
Our trains will travel out of the west portal of the 3.5 mile Bromford Tunnel at Washwood Heath and onto a one mile stretch of 5 connected viaducts which are, Duddeston, Curzon 1, Curzon 2, Lawley Middleway and Curzon 3 - which links to Curzon Street station.
7
25
206
25,432
HS2 journey will emit 17 times less carbon than the equivalent domestic flight and 7 times less than a car journey. HS2’s Phase One construction and operation carbon footprint, over 120 years, will emit less carbon than the road network does in 1 month. hs2.org.uk/why/carbon/
27
23
207
📣 The installation of a new #HS2 bridge over the #M42 motorway is complete, approx. 36 hours ahead of schedule! 📣
Check out the amazing engineering feat here 👉 piped.video/DxGd83rzcts
All lanes are now open on #M42 *IN BOTH DIRECTIONS* J10-J9 #Tamworth to #Curdworth.
ALT Image of completed HS2 bridge installed over the M42 motorway in Warwickshire.
ALT Image of completed HS2 bridge installed over the M42 motorway in Warwickshire.
10
18
207
36,917
Here’s the first view of the tunnelling machine that will dig the Long Itchington Wood tunnel. It will excavate a twin bore tunnel under the #Warks wood. 60 workers are already preparing the site for it, including engineers and #apprentices: gloo.to/6yhS
#PlanForJobs
ALT A large diameter blue cutting wheel at the head of a long white tunnel boring machine, sits in a factory.
ALT A view across a freshly excavated cutting towards a tunnel head wall. Above it sits a large wood.
17
26
203
Oppose public transport? More cars and domestic flights? Slow the jobs led recovery? Stop the Midlands and North getting their first new railway for over 100 years? Hold back towns and cities getting a fairer playing field alongside London? We don’t think so. HS2: Green & Growth.
HS2: Could the pandemic kill off the rail project? bbc.in/39sguff
40
34
195
This morning HS2 legally removed 7 activists from land at Harvil Road. Most left voluntarily with 2 arrested. This is what they left:
106
34
194
We're excited to see the West Midlands showcasing its bold growth agenda at @UKREiiF 2025.
From the Birmingham Sports Quarter to the HS2 Growth Corridor, discover how high-speed rail🚄 is accelerating regeneration and investment across the region 📈
Read our research: hs2.org.uk/hs2itwm
ALT Curzon Street Station - main entrance
3
20
222
30,363
Revealed 👀! The designs for the 150-metre section of viaduct as part of the approach to #Birmingham’s new Curzon Street Station, including a 25-metre-high truss which will create a new icon on the city’s skyline. Find out more: gloo.to/6mgM
15
25
194
Today, 10,000 miles of track serve a population of 68 million people 🛤️. When the last mainline to #London was completed in 1899, 20,000 miles of track served a population of around 40 million people. Victorian #Britain was better connected by rail than we are today.
...it's time for an upgrade, HS2 will provide more track, more trains, more seats and faster journeys, improving performance and reliability across the West Midlands/London rail corridor 🇬🇧🚅🌍.
15
21
186
12,098
HS2's new British-built, bullet style trains will travel at up to 225mph on both high-speed and existing railway lines. By moving fast, inter-city services onto our new lines, we’ll free up capacity on the current railway network for more local and regional passenger trains – and more freight can then travel by rail too.
39
31
189
32,209
Siân Berry: “it’s bypassing city centres”
FACT: HS2 will call at stations in the centre of London, Birmingham, Crewe, Manchester, Sheffield and Leeds. HS2 will transform connectivity between our cities and towns, calling at over 25 stations and connecting around 30m people.
14
17
183
New designs for the Water Orton Viaducts include green public spaces and a potential community orchard. This section of the #HS2 route is known as the Delta Junction and the viaducts will cross existing motorways, roads and paths. Find out more: gloo.to/6ngV
ALT CGI of a a green public space with a stream and trees, below and between two railway viaducts.
ALT An aerial CGI view of two railway viaducts crossing a motorway. A high speed train is passing along one of them.
ALT A CGI view of a railway viaduct with a train on it, from a road the viaduct crosses.
ALT A CGI view of two curved railway viaducts sweeping towards the horizon, from a railway line near by.
18
27
192
Bridges, bridges and more bridges 📸 🤩.
Demolition of a bridge over the M42 📸.
A 2,600 tonne bridge driven under the existing South #Staffordshire freight railway line 📸.
A 5,600 tonne bridge moved under the Coventry to Leamington railway 📸.
#HS2InPictures
ALT Demolition of a bridge over the M42.
ALT A 2,600 tonne bridge driven under the existing South Staffordshire freight railway line.
ALT A 2,600 tonne bridge driven under the existing South Staffordshire freight railway line.
3
21
193
17,729
HS2 will help cut the number of cars and lorries on our roads, cut demand for flights, and help fight climate change. Here are some of the facts behind the false information being spread by some groups online. 1/6
26
48
184
This week we'd like to share these fantastic progress shots with you 📸 👀
The completed A41 bridge near #Aylesbury 📷.
The first completed viaduct structures at Delta Junction 📷.
The completed 2.1-mile long deck of Colne Valley Viaduct 📷.
#HS2InPictures
ALT HS2 completes A41 bridge near Aylesbury
ALT HS2 completes first viaduct structures at Delta Junction
ALT Britain gets its new longest rail bridge in major HS2 milestone
3
20
191
8,996
Worn-out #WindTurbine blades will be #recycled to reinforce concrete used to build #HS2. Cut sections of glass fibre blades will substitute for steel, cutting by up to 90% the #carbon generated by concrete reinforcement. Find out about the pilot: gloo.to/6SQ7
ALT a wind turbine blade is transported by a long articulated lorry.
16
30
178
Last weekend, engineers working on the project slid part of a huge new 3,400-tonne viaduct across the busy M6 motorway. Both carriageways were opened to traffic 9.5 hours ahead of schedule following a 33-hour closure.
Here are some shots of the operation 👇📷
#HS2InPictures
ALT M6 South Viaduct Push
ALT M6 South Viaduct Push
ALT M6 South Viaduct Push
7
12
206
15,326
As cold temperatures and snow hit the UK, it poses a huge challenge to our friends running the existing rail networks.
Modern railways like HS2 are designed to withstand extreme cold, with rail expansion devices and specialised drainage systems. HS2 will offer a future-proofed alternative to keep people moving even during the harshest conditions. ❄️ #WinterResilience
ALT HS2 train cgi
15
17
193
10,552
HS2 lays the foundations for a 21st century rail network by linking our two biggest cities, #London and #Birmingham with fast🚄, reliable travel, boosting the UK economy 📈.
ALT Early visualisation of an HS2 train
18
13
185
10,350
Our longest viaduct has now made its way across the final set of lakes that span the #ColneValley as it makes it way towards completion later this year ✅.
Stretching for more than 2 miles, the Colne Valley Viaduct will be almost a kilometre longer than the Forth Rail Bridge 😮.
10
23
184
15,305
We've completed the Wendover Dean Viaduct deck slide 🤩 ✅.
Over 8 months, the 3,700-tonne viaduct deck was slid almost half a kilometre uphill into position, it stretches for 450m and was assembled in three stages, ranging from 90m to 180m. Learn more: gloo.to/FeoN
5
29
182
25,945
Reports that HS2’s budget has gone up are wholly inaccurate. Almost every part of life in the UK has been affected by the pandemic and #HS2 is no different. However, all COVID impacts to date will be managed within the existing budget. No extra money is required from Treasury.
17
32
177
Final breakthrough for our longest tunnel 🤩🎉.
Our second boring machine TBM 'Cecilia' digging under the Chiltern Hills broke through at the tunnel’s northern portal yesterday afternoon, completing a journey that began in June 2021!
Learn more: gloo.to/6Rx3
12
18
182
15,774
Two of the UK’s biggest #infrastructure projects celebrated a joint milestone this week as a key bridge - that will carry direct rail services between #Oxford and #Cambridge - was lifted into position over the route of HS2 🚄.
ALT East West Rail bridge lifted into place by HS2 main works contractors EKFB
4
20
182
By creating more space for more trains, #HS2 will take hundreds of thousands of lorries off the roads every year as more #freight can move to #rail. This will make roads safer, improve air quality and help reduce #carbon emissions.
#MoreFreightByRail
18
73
183
64 miles of tunnels will be dug on the first phase of HS2, between #London & #Birmingham.
12 miles is already complete:
✅ Our first completed tunnel.
✅ Our 10-mile Chiltern tunnel being 50% complete.
✅ Our London TBM's making great progress.
👉 ow.ly/MYyS50MV4Kz
ALT Inside the Long Itchington Wood tunnel
ALT Chiltern tunnel
ALT Northolt tunnel TBM's
18
13
174
43,186
HS2 is the only shovel-ready project that will also deliver much needed new capacity on the West Coast, East Coast and Midland main lines too. Four railways for the price of one. Four lines with more seats and more trains, all contributing to our country's low carbon future.
35
57
182
In May, our giant bridge-building machine began work on the longest viaduct on the outskirts of #London. The 700 tonne, launching girder will build a viaduct stretching for more than 2 miles. The #ColneValley Viaduct will also be the longest railway bridge in the UK.
#HS2in2022
ALT First look at completed HS2 bridge
ALT HS2's Launching Girder
ALT HS2's Launching Girder
12
13
178
28,777
Siân Berry: “attacking the ancient woodlands, going through sensitive landscapes”
FACT: 43 of Britain’s 52,000 ancient woodlands will be affected by the HS2 route between London and Crewe, with 80% of the total area of these woodlands remaining intact and untouched by HS2.
12
16
167
The choice is not #HS2 or local #rail upgrades. HS2 will be the largest upgrade to local services this country has seen in generations. The choice is clear: more people in low carbon rail or more people in cars and on planes. Learn more: hs2.org.uk/why/carbon/
ALT A CGI image of a tram passing under the Curzon Street Station in Birmingham.
20
34
173
Heatwaves can buckle rail tracks, causing closures. HS2's tracks are designed to withstand higher temperatures than existing rail limits, keeping trains running smoothly in a hotter climate. ☀️🌦️🚄 #HS2 #ClimateResilience
ALT Slab track
12
22
195
17,001
From 2018 to 2023 🤩!
Before and after footage of our #OldOakCommon station. A total workforce of over 2,000 people 👷 are supporting the delivery of our 'super-hub' station, with the site itself welcoming around 1,000 workers each day.
#London #Construction #Engineering
9
30
178
35,722
We recently opened two bridges near Leamington Spa which will carry a key local road and a long-distance cycle track across the new high-speed railway.
The Fosse Way bridge carries the B4455 across the railway near the village of Offchurch outside Leamington. It was opened several days after the nearby Offchurch Greenway bridge, which carries the popular walking and cycle path between Leamington and Rugby.
Learn more: gloo.to/FxGQ
3
16
193
15,623
A few shots of the #ColneValleyViaduct so far 📸!
Over 500m of the viaduct – which will eventually stretch for more than two miles across a series of lakes and waterways outside Hillingdon – have been built using our enormous 700 tonne ‘bridge-building machine’🤩.
ALT Colne Valley Viaduct
ALT Colne Valley Viaduct
ALT Colne Valley Viaduct
22
11
171
25,243
Fantastic to have received an engineering award from the @RoyalFineArt Commission Trust’s 2024 Building Beauty Awards for our #ColneValley Viaduct 🏆.
Judges described the viaduct as 'breathtaking' and a 'massive object, but it treads lightly, skimming over the water'💧.
ALT HS2's Colne Valley Viaduct
ALT HS2's Colne Valley Viaduct
ALT HS2's Colne Valley Viaduct
ALT HS2's Colne Valley Viaduct
9
25
185
7,869
By creating more space for more trains, #HS2 will take thousands of lorries off Britain’s roads every year as more #freight can move to #rail. This will help reduce #carbon emissions and improve air quality.
#MoreFreightByRail
Find out more: hs2.org.uk/why/capacity/capa…
10
53
172
This week we'd like to share these striking images of the complex network of structures taking shape on the Birmingham approaches 📸 👀
The approaches will guide high-speed trains into the new Curzon Street Station.
Watch more here🎥 ow.ly/MvsP50VUAf3
#HS2InPictures
ALT Curzon approaches construction
ALT Curzon approaches construction
ALT Curzon approaches construction
5
24
197
12,715
We removed a 4,000-tonne two-span bridge over the M42 🚧. The whole job was completed sooner than anticipated, which meant the motorway could be reopened 14 hours ahead of schedule, shortening the closure to 42 hours. Watch now: ow.ly/VMlX50PFmxZ
8
23
171
21,337
Siân Berry: “the excessive speed”
FACT: The speed of HS2 is integral for the benefits the new railway will bring: providing much-needed rail capacity across the country and helping to improve connectivity in our towns and cities, create jobs and rebalance the UK economy.
14
12
166
“HS2 is just 20 minutes quicker to #Birmingham” is a well-trodden myth. #HS2 will transform the UK with the 3Cs: More CAPACITY across the country’s #rail network. A low CARBON #transport network. Better CONNECTIVITY in the #Midlands and #North.
22
35
165
📣 TBM 'Lydia' breaks through into the Old Oak Common Station box, completing the Atlas Road Logistics tunnel🤩. The 853m tunnel will eventually allow materials required for the Euston Tunnel to be transported to the site without clogging up local roads. Learn more: gloo.to/6BY6
5
25
171
33,800
This week we'd like to share these fantastic shots with you 📸 👀
An aerial shot of Birmingham’s new rail hub - Curzon Street Station 📷.
First piers lifted into position for the Edgcote Viaduct 📷.
Foundation works begin for the Rykneld Street bridge 📷.
#HS2InPictures
7
19
182
11,004
Planning approval has been granted for the largest new-build #railway #station in the UK - #HS2 Old Oak Common Station. Building a new railway station on this scale and size will be an incredible achievement for #British #engineering. Find out more: ow.ly/2wZe50zKWzX
22
32
166
We've received approval for HS2's Washwood Heath Depot where trains will be maintained, serviced and stored when not in use. 🚆
Situated near Birmingham, the depot has been designed to celebrate engineering and provide sustainable working.
Find out more: ow.ly/jvb350MHKwb
10
11
165
42,447
Curzon Street Station will be the first brand new intercity #railway terminus built in #Britain since the 19th century. The station design will maximise the benefit of natural resources such as sunlight and water and have new public spaces surrounding it. ow.ly/sJTV50IkQ7T
13
24
171
23,030
We have been granted consent by Birmingham City Council for a 150-metre-long superstructure which will carry high speed trains into Curzon Street Station, including a 25-metre-high truss which will create a new icon on the city’s skyline.
Learn more: gloo.to/69rx
ALT HS2's 'Curzon No.2 Viaduct' in Birmingham at dusk
14
23
163
29,072