HS2 is Britain’s new high speed rail line being built from London to the North-West, with HS2 trains linking the biggest cities in Scotland with Manchester, Birmingham and London.
The railway will pass through:
- Balsall Common
- Berkswell
- Bickenhill
- Chelmsley Wood
- Hampton in Arden
Solihull will be home to the new HS2 Interchange Station. Close to the National Exhibition Centre (NEC) and Birmingham Airport - it will be a major gateway station for the West Midlands region, connecting passengers to Birmingham, Leeds, Liverpool, and Manchester city centres.
HS2 will begin running between 2029 and 2033 when the section between London and the West Midlands is complete, and services will expand as new sections of the network are built.
Keep informed
HS2 produces regular updates about the project, including notifications of upcoming works, how HS2 is being constructed, what is happening at the station site and what they’re doing to make the works less disruptive.
The easiest way to stay up to date with the latest news and notifications is to join their mailing list for Solihull. By signing up to the mailing list, you will directly receive emails from HS2 about the delivery of the project.
In Your area information and interactive map
The HS2 website is the best place to view the HS2 route through your area and find information about current and planned construction works.
The in your area map brings all the works notifications, from all HS2 contractors, together in one place. Each work item, highlighted on the map with a 'hard hat' icon, lets you know:
- the location and planned duration of the works
- which contractor is delivering it, and
- what kind of activity they are doing, e.g. setting up a compound, undertaking some utility works or doing some work that requires temporary impact to a local road.
If you have a question about HS2 or the works, please contact the HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk.
Recent decisions
The latest HS2 traffic management applications and road works plans for Solihull are published on our tracker sheet. These are Schedule 4 applications and fall into two main categories:
- Notice of works and traffic diversions - these are published by the Council online when received
- New highway works - the Council can also only comment on issues relating to road safety and congestion and only has 28 days to determine these applications. By their nature, these applications are not open to the normal process for consultation or engagement
There is no statutory duty for Local Planning Authorities to consult bodies such as Parish Councils on Schedule 17 submissions received. However, the Council has taken the decision to notify Parish/Town Councils and Ward Members of Schedule 17 submissions once they are received. The Council has 56 days to respond to Schedule 17 submissions.
A few planning applications will be submitted outside of the Schedule 17 and will be examined in the normal way through the Council’s planning committee process.
Minimising disruption
We are committed to working with local communities to ensure that any disruption resulting from building and operating HS2 is kept to a minimum; and that the natural resources and green space for which Solihull is admired is protected whilst building prosperity for the next generation.
Our HS2 Implementation Advisory Group has oversight of any HS2 construction in the borough and will work with HS2 and various contractors to make sure communities and businesses are informed of works and are aware of who to contact should there be any problems.