High Speed 2

Summary

High Speed 2 (HS2) is a high-speed railway which has been under construction in England since 2020. The planned route runs between Handsacre in southern Staffordshire and London, with a branch to Birmingham. HS2 will be Britain's second purpose-built, high-speed railway after High Speed 1, which connects London to the Channel Tunnel. London and Birmingham are to be served directly by new high-speed track, with services continuing beyond the core route on the existing West Coast Main Line. When proposed in 2010, Phase 1 was expected to open by December 2026; however, as of May 2026, passenger services are not expected to begin before 2036.