22,000 jobs to be created as work begins on HS2

Work has officially started on the HS2 rail project today (September 4) which is expected to create 22,000 jobs.

The high-speed rail project, which will initially link London, Birmingham, Manchester and Leeds, has begun construction after government approval was granted in April.

HS2 is expected to deliver around 22,000 jobs over the coming years, with opportunities confirmed in Warwickshire, Greater London, Birmingham and West Midlands through contractors or direct with HS2 Ltd.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has commented that the rail project would “fire up economic growth and help to rebalance opportunity”.

He added: “But HS2’s transformational potential goes even further. By creating hundreds of apprenticeships and thousands of skilled jobs, HS2 will fire up economic growth and help to rebalance opportunity across this country for years to come.”

The project has been praised by Northern Powerhouse Partnership (NPP) as a key project that will boost the local economies of regions across the North.

Henri Murison, director of the NPP, commented: “Increasing capacity on the North’s rail network and better connecting our towns and cities will be vital in the economic regeneration of the Northern Powerhouse - both now and long in the future.”

The controversial project has attracted criticism from various campaign groups. Stop HS2 chairwoman Penny Gaines said the project was “environmentally destructive”, adding: “This is why there are currently hundreds of activists camped out along the HS2 route. We don’t expect them to go away any time soon.”