Latest news

Over the past few months, we have introduced a number of improvements to the HS2 website and how we share information with you. As part of this work, we have now moved the contents of the HS2 in Solihull website to the In your area section of the HS2 website.

We will continue to provide local webpages and publish information about the progress of the railway in your area.

We have also published local community landing pages for each section of the route. These provide information about the HS2 route within each area.

We will continue to produce regular updates about the project, including notifications of our upcoming works, how it’s being constructed and what we’re doing to make it less disruptive.

If you would like to continue to receive updates from us and haven't already registered, please sign up directly at engagement.hs2.org.uk/join-mailing-list . We will ask you to confirm your email address as part of the sign-up process.

The personal information you provide will be handled in accordance with current data protection legislation and only used for the purposes for which you have provided it. Find out more about what we will do to keep your information safe in our Personal information charter .

We will no longer use this platform or Commonplace to publish information or issue emails to you. This website has now been archived. You can still access the materials that were originally available on this website by visiting the HS2 in Solihull overview page .

Contact us if you have any questions

If you have any questions about these changes or would like some help signing up to receive email updates from us please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team, available all day, every day on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk

On Tuesday 10 August , we informed you that possibly a temporary, weekend road closure would need to be installed along sections of the B4438 and A452 on Saturday 21 August and Sunday 22 August 2021. This weekend closure will no longer take place and our next weekend closure will take place in October 2021. We will confirm the details of these traffic measures in due course.

To continue to remodel and improve sections of the existing road network in the area, we will install some changes to the existing traffic rerouting around Northway Island which commenced on Monday 19 July .

From Monday 23 August to late October 2021, one of the short sections of Northway Island that was closed on Monday 19 July will reopen, whilst the other section remains closed. Depending on your direction of travel, you may be redirected from Northway Island, along the B4438, and back. You will still be able to access all routes and direction of travel along the B4438, A452 and Northway will be unaffected.

A new direction of travel around Northway Island will be installed following this phase of our programme. We’ll inform you of any changes to the direction of travel around Northway Island before they take effect.

On occasion, temporary, off-peak single lane closures will be installed between Monday 23 August and late October 2021 around the longabout, on the way to the NEC, and along short sections of the B4438.

You can view the works notification, including a map, here .

Please also note that no further news alerts will be sent from this site.

Join the HS2 mailing list to continue to receive updates from HS2 about the project

We will no longer be using this website or Commonplace to issue email updates to you. Instead, we are asking that you sign up to receive information from HS2 directly. We will continue to produce regular updates about the project, including notifications of our upcoming works, how it’s being constructed and what we’re doing to make it less disruptive.

If you would like to continue to receive updates from HS2 you can sign up for email notifications at engagement.hs2.org.uk/join-mailing-list . We will ask you to confirm your email address as part of the sign-up process.

The personal information you provide will be handled in accordance with current data protection legislation and only used for the purposes for which you have provided it.

Find out more about what we will do to keep your information safe in our Personal information charter .

If you have a question about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk

We are remodelling and improving sections of the existing road network in the area and creating new routes on HS2 land. These road improvements will ensure that when the future station is operational, the local road network is fit for purpose. Upon completion, a new T-junction will replace Northway Island. A new ‘longabout’ is already in operation outside the Holiday Inn Express NEC, on the way to the National Exhibition Centre (NEC).

We started the creation of the new T-junction in April 2021 . To enable us to continue to connect parts of the existing road network to the new routes we create, a series of weekend road closures will be installed in 2021 near Northway Island.

To carry out this programme safely, we have previously informed you that we will be installing a temporary, weekend road closure on short sections of the B4438 (northbound) and A452 (both directions), near Northway Island, from 8pm on Friday 13 August through to 5am on Monday 16 August. A signed diversion route will be in place for road users during the weekend road closure. The relevant information regarding this closure is available in this notification . We may need to repeat this closure on the following weekend from 6am on Saturday 21st of August, until 8pm on Sunday 22nd of August. The closure extents and diversion should be the same as the weekend of the 13 August, but we will confirm the exact details on Monday 16 August .

If you have a question about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk

We have published local community landing pages for each section of the route between London, the West Midlands and Crewe. These provide information about the HS2 route within each area. Over the coming weeks we will be adding further pages and information to each area.

We are now in the final stages of this transition which is expected to be completed by mid-August, however we will write to you again to confirm this nearer the time.

We will no longer be using this website or Commonplace to issue email updates to you. Instead, we are asking that you sign up to receive information from HS2 directly. We will continue to produce regular updates about the project, including notifications of our upcoming works, how it’s being constructed and what we’re doing to make it less disruptive.

If you would like to continue to receive updates from HS2 you can sign up for email notifications at engagement.hs2.org.uk/join-mailing-list . We will ask you to confirm your email address as part of the sign-up process.

The personal information you provide will be handled in accordance with current data protection legislation and only used for the purposes for which you have provided it.

Find out more about what we will do to keep your information safe in our Personal information charter .

Contact us if you have any questions

If you have any questions about these changes or would like some help signing up to receive email updates from us please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team, available all day, every day on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk

As part of our preparation works for future construction of the HS2 Interchange Station and railway route , we are undertaking various environmental surveys in the area. To carry out our surveys safely, we will install traffic measures when necessary.

Subject to obtaining the relevant consents, we will install temporary, phased overnight lane closures from 7pm to 6.30am on Thursday 12 August and Monday 16 August, and from 7pm to 12.30am on Thursday 26 August and Wednesday 1 September, along sections of the A452 and A45 near Stonebridge Island.

You can view the works notification, including a map, here .

Temporary, weekend road closure on short sections of the B4438 and A452 from Friday 13 August to Monday 16 August 2021

We are remodeling and improving sections of the existing road network in the area and creating new routes on HS2 land. These road improvements will ensure that when the future station is operational, the local road network is fit for purpose. Upon completion, a new T-junction will replace Northway Island. A new ‘longabout’ is already in operation outside the Holiday Inn Express NEC, on the way to the National Exhibition Centre (NEC).

We started the creation of the new T-junction in April 2021 . To enable us to continue to connect parts of the existing road network, to the new routes we create, a series of weekend road closures will be installed in 2021 near Northway Island.

To carry out this programme safely, we will install a temporary, weekend road closure on short sections of the B4438 (northbound) and A452 (both directions), near Northway Island, from 8pm on Friday 13 August through to 5am on Monday 16 August. A signed diversion route will be in place for road users during the weekend road closure.

Throughout the closure, there will be temporary changes to access to and from Birmingham Business Park off Northway Island.

You can view the works notification, including a map, here

If you have a question about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk

You can view a revised works notification, including a map, here .

If you have a question about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk

There are local community landing pages which have been published for each section of the route between London, the West Midlands and Crewe, providing information about the HS2 route within each area. We will be adding further pages and information to each area in the coming weeks.

We are now in the final stages of this transition which is expected to be completed by mid-August, however, we will write to you again to confirm this nearer the time.

We will no longer be using this website or Commonplace to issue email updates to you. Instead, we are asking that you sign up to receive information from HS2 directly. We will continue to produce regular updates about the project, including notifications of our upcoming works, how it’s being constructed and what we’re doing to make it less disruptive.

If you would like to continue to receive updates from HS2 you can sign up for email notifications at engagement.hs2.org.uk/join-mailing-list . We will ask you to confirm your email address as part of the sign-up process.

The personal information you provide will be handled in accordance with current data protection legislation and only used for the purposes for which you have provided it.

Find out more about what we will do to keep your information safe in our Personal information charter .

Contact us if you have any questions

If you have any questions about these changes or would like some help signing up to receive email updates from us please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team, available all day, every day on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk

We are remodelling and improving sections of the existing road network in the area and creating new routes on HS2 land. These road improvements will ensure that when the future station is operational, the local road network is fit for purpose. Upon completion, a new T-junction will replace Northway Island. A new ‘longabout’ is already in operation outside the Holiday Inn Express NEC, on the way to the National Exhibition Centre (NEC).

To date, we have connected parts of the existing road network to some of the new routes we have created, and installed new pedestrian footpaths, kerb lines and central reservations in the area. We started the creation of the new T-junction in April 2021 . This programme will continue with some temporary changes to Birmingham Business Park’s entrance and exit arrangements off Northway Island in August.

To carry out this programme safely, we will install a temporary closure of Birmingham Business Park’s entrance and exit, along Solihull Parkway, off Northway Island from 7pm on Friday 6 August, through to 4am on Monday 9 August. Throughout the closure, access to the park will be maintained via Progress Way off the B4438. A signed diversion route will be in place for road users during the closure.

These traffic measures will be carried out in conjunction with a new direction of travel for road users around Northway Island, which commenced on Monday 19 July .

You can view the works notification, including a map, here.

If you have a question about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk

This schedule is subject to change depending on site and weather conditions and evolving measures to combat coronavirus. We’ll keep you informed of any adjustments at: www.hs2insolihull.co.uk and at HS2.org.uk works in your area map

As part of our preparation works for future construction of the HS2 Interchange Station and railway route , we are undertaking roadside vegetation clearance in the area. To carry out our works safely, we will install traffic measures when necessary.

Subject to obtaining the relevant consents, we will install a temporary, hard shoulder closure along the M42 northbound from 9.30am to 3.30pm between Monday 2 August to Friday 6 August between junctions 6 and 7.

The map below shows the location of the hard shoulder closure in orange.

This schedule is subject to change depending on site and weather conditions, gaining the appropriate consents and evolving measures to combat coronavirus. We’ll keep you informed of any adjustments at: www.hs2insolihull.co.uk

If you have a question about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk

We are remodelling and improving sections of the existing road network in the area and creating new routes on HS2 land. These road improvements will ensure that when the future station is operational, the local road network is fit for purpose. Upon completion, a new T-junction will replace Northway Island. A new ‘longabout’ is already in operation outside the Holiday Inn Express NEC, on the way to the National Exhibition Centre (NEC).

To date, we have connected parts of the existing road network to some of the new routes we have created, and installed new pedestrian footpaths, kerb lines and central reservations in the area. We started the creation of the new T-junction in April 2021 . This programme will continue with some changes to the existing traffic rerouting around Northway Island which commenced on Monday 24 May .

From Monday 19 July to late August 2021, two short sections of Northway Island will be closed. Depending on your direction of travel, road users will no longer be able to travel around the whole of the Island and you may be redirected from Northway Island, along the A452 or B4438, and back.

You will still be able to access all routes, there will just be a short diversion from some parts of Northway Island. Direction of travel along the B4438, A452 and Northway will be unaffected.

A new direction of travel around Northway Island will be installed following this phase of our programme. We’ll inform you of any changes to the direction of travel around Northway Island before they take effect.

You can view the works notification, including a map, here .

On Sunday 18 July, we will also install temporary traffic lights from 10am to 1pm on a short section of the A452 off Northway Island.

The map below shows the location of the temporary traffic lights.

If you have a question about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk

As part of our preparation works for future construction of the HS2 Interchange Station and railway route , we are undertaking various environmental surveys in the area. To carry out our surveys safely, we will install traffic measures when necessary.

Subject to obtaining the relevant consents, we will install temporary, phased overnight lane closures from 7pm to 12.30am between Monday 26 July to Friday 30 July, and on Monday 2 August, along sections of the A446, A452 and A45 near Stonebridge Island.

These traffic measures will be carried out in conjunction with a new direction of travel for road users around Northway Island, which will commence on Monday 19 July .

You can view the works notification, including a map, here .

Also, earlier in the month , we informed you that we would install temporary, phased lane closures from 9.30am to 3.30pm each day between Monday 12 July to Thursday 15 July, and Monday 19 July to Tuesday 20 July, along sections of the A446, A452 and A45 near Stonebridge Island. We will now extend this programme from Monday 12 July to Friday 16 July.

If you have a question about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk

To mark the Council for British Archaeology's Festival of Archaeology , we are holding a series of free online events so you can get involved and find out more about what treasures are being unearthed as we build the country's new high speed railway. The Festival of Archaeology runs from July 17 - August 1, shining a light on our past and how our ancestors lived.

Subjects we will be covering in the free online 'webinars' include:

We will also be holding our fourth weekend of open days at our Field Museum at St Mary's Church in Stoke Mandeville on Saturday 24 July and Sunday 25 July.

Inside a specially constructed tent the size of a football pitch, archaeologists working on our behalf are currently excavating the remains of the former parish church of St. Mary the Virgin. This is a once in a generation opportunity to excavate the ruins of a medieval church and churchyard. Inside the museum you can ascend the viewing platform for a bird’s eye view of ongoing excavations, as well as displays, films and finds to explore the history of St. Mary’s Church and the amazing archaeological discoveries in the surrounding area.

We’d love to welcome you onto site to explore this fascinating excavation, where you can learn about life and death in Stoke Mandeville over more than 800 years.

Tickets are available to book from 10am on Tuesday July 13 and booking will close at 5pm on Thursday July 22 .

Detailed joining instructions including our Health and Safety statement will be sent to all registered attendees closer to the time.

If you have a question about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk

We will be publishing a video recording of the session online, so if you are unable to attend the event, you will still be able to learn about what we are doing through a dedicated playlist on the HS2 YouTube channel.

This is the fourth in a series of webinars focussing on Building HS2’s West Midlands Stations. The next webinar will be held in early autumn. Please keep an eye on our events pages at hs2.org.uk/events for more details.

If you have a question about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk

Last month, we informed you that we would install temporary 24-hour traffic lights on a short section of the A452 from Monday 28 June to Tuesday 6 July. However, due to unforeseen circumstances, these traffic lights will now be installed on the A452 until Friday 9 July.

These traffic measures will be carried out in conjunction with a new direction of travel for road users around Northway Island, which commenced on Monday 24 May .

The map below outlines the location of the extended temporary traffic lights.

If you have a question about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk

If you have a question about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk

Further information ca be found here: https://www.hs2.org.uk/work-items/notification-of-trial-holes-at-m42-junction-7-and-7a/

This lane closure will be in place from Thursday 15 July until Tuesday 27 July between 8.00am until 6.00pm. Our contractors may be on site for up to an hour before and after those times to set up and secure the site.

Access will be maintained for local businesses and journeys to local amenities and the public footpath will be marshalled to ensure pedestrians are safely escorted through the works.

We are remodelling and improving sections of the existing road network in the area and creating new routes on HS2 land. These road improvements will ensure that when the future station is operational, the local road network is fit for purpose. Upon completion, a new T-junction will replace Northway Island. A new ‘longabout’ is already in operation outside the Holiday Inn Express NEC, on the way to the National Exhibition Centre (NEC).

To date, we have connected parts of the existing road network to some of the new routes we have created, and installed new pedestrian footpaths, kerb lines and central reservations in the area. We started the creation of the new T-junction in April 2021 . This programme will continue with some changes to the existing traffic rerouting around Northway Island which commenced on Monday 24 May .

From Monday 19 July to late August 2021, two short sections of Northway Island will be closed. Depending on your direction of travel, road users will no longer be able to travel around the whole of the Island and you may be redirected from Northway Island, along the A452 or B4438, and back.

You will still be able to access all routes, there will just be a short diversion from some parts of Northway Island. Direction of travel along the B4438, A452 and Northway will be unaffected.

A new direction of travel around Northway Island will be installed following this phase of our programme. We’ll inform you of any changes to the direction of travel around Northway Island before they take effect.

You can view the works notification, including a map, here .

If you have a question about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk

As part of our preparation works for future construction of the HS2 Interchange Station and railway route, we are undertaking roadside vegetation clearance and environmental surveys, and remodelling and improving sections of the existing road network in the area . To safely carry out our works, we will install traffic measures when necessary.

Last month , we informed you that we would install temporary 24-hour traffic lights on a short section of the A452 from Monday 24 May for one week. However, due to unforeseen circumstances, this work was postponed. We will now install these temporary 24-hour traffic lights on a short section of the A452 from Monday 28 June to Tuesday 6 July.

Subject to obtaining the relevant consents, we will also install the following traffic measures in July:

• Temporary lane closures from 9.30am to 3.30pm each weekday, between Thursday 8 July to Friday 16 July, along a short section of the A446 northbound near Northway Island

• Temporary, phased lane closures from 9.30am to 3.30pm each weekday between Monday 12 July to Thursday 15 July, and Monday 19 July to Tuesday 20 July, along sections of the A446, A452 and A45 near Stonebridge Island

These traffic measures will be carried out in conjunction with a new direction of travel for road users around Northway Island, which commenced on Monday 24 May .

You can view the works notification, including a map, here .

If you have a question about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk

We have published local community landing pages for each section of the route between London, the West Midlands and Crewe. These provide information about the HS2 route within each area. Over the coming weeks we will be adding further pages and information to each area.

We are aiming to complete this exercise next month (July) and will write to you again to confirm this nearer the time.

We will no longer be using this website or Commonplace to issue email updates to you. Instead, we are asking that you sign up to receive information from HS2 directly. We will continue to produce regular updates about the project, including notifications of our upcoming works, how it’s being constructed and what we’re doing to make it less disruptive.

If you would like to continue to receive updates from HS2 you can sign up for email notifications at engagement.hs2.org.uk/join-mailing-list . We will ask you to confirm your email address as part of the sign-up process.

The personal information you provide will be handled in accordance with current data protection legislation and only used for the purposes for which you have provided it.

Find out more about what we will do to keep your information safe in our Personal information charter .

Contact us if you have any questions

If you have any questions about these changes or would like some help signing up to receive email updates from us please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team, available all day, every day on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk

There is just one week to go before voting closes in the national competition to name our third Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM), which will dig a one-mile twin bore tunnel under Long Itchington Wood in Warwickshire. Visit www.hs2.org.uk/tbmvoting to cast your vote by June 30 .

Long Itchington Wood Tunnel north portal site

More than 180 entries submitted by people in Warwickshire, asked to nominate the names of women closely associated with the county, were whittled down to a shortlist of three. The three candidates are:

Anne - named after Anne Hathaway, who was the wife of the country’s most famous playwright William Shakespeare. She was born in 1556 and her childhood home nearby in Stratford-upon-Avon was bought by the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust in 1892 and turned into a museum. Anne was suggested by a Nuneaton resident.

Dorothy - named after Dorothy Hodgkin, who in 1964 became the first British woman to win the Nobel Prize in Chemistry. Her discoveries included confirming the structure of penicillin, and her work with insulin paved the way for it to be used on a large scale for treatment of diabetes. She died in 1994 in Shipston-on-Stour in Warwickshire. Dorothy was suggested by a student at Warwickshire College Group.

Mary Ann - named after Mary Ann Evans, better known by her pen name George Eliot, who was an English novelist, poet, journalist, translator and one of the leading writers of the Victorian era. She was born in Nuneaton and her novels, most famously 'Middlemarch', are celebrated for their realism and psychological insights. A North Leamington School pupil suggested Mary Ann.

We are planning to reveal the winning name later this year.

The Long Itchington Wood TBM will begin tunnelling later this year. Operated by our main works contractor Balfour Beatty Vinci (BBV), the 2,000-tonne machine will take around five months to complete the first bore of two parallel tunnels. The Long Itchington Wood tunnel means that the ancient woodland above the tunnelling works will not be disturbed and the final section will be a ‘green tunnel' with a soil ‘roof’ built around the tunnel entrance to blend the portal into the natural landscape.

This is the third TBM put to a public naming vote. Our first two machines, Florence and Cecilia, are already tunnelling under the Chilterns and were named after famous local Buckinghamshire women: Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern nursing, spent many years living in the county, while Cecilia Payne-Gaposchkin, a pioneering astronomer and astrophysicist, was born in Buckinghamshire.

If you have a question about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk

Three names have been shortlisted from over 180 entries submitted by people in Warwickshire, who were asked to nominate the names of women closely associated with the county. The vote is now open, with the online competition running until the end of June . The names are:

Anne - named after Anne Hathaway, who was the wife of the country’s most famous playwright William Shakespeare. She was born in 1556 and her childhood home nearby in Stratford-upon-Avon was bought by the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust in 1892 and turned into a museum. Anne was suggested by a Nuneaton resident.

Dorothy - named after Dorothy Hodgkin, who in 1964 became the first British woman to win the Nobel Prize in Chemistry. Her discoveries included confirming the structure of penicillin, and her work with insulin paved the way for it to be used on a large scale for treatment of diabetes. She died in 1994 in Shipston-on-Stour in Warwickshire. Dorothy was suggested by a student at Warwickshire College Group.

Mary Ann - named after Mary Ann Evans, better known by her pen name George Eliot, who was an English novelist, poet, journalist, translator and one of the leading writers of the Victorian era. She was born in Nuneaton and her novels, most famously 'Middlemarch', are celebrated for their realism and psychological insights. A North Leamington School pupil suggested Mary Ann.

The Long Itchington Wood TBM will begin tunnelling later this year and be operated by our main works contractor for the West Midlands, Balfour Beatty Vinci (BBV). The 2,000-tonne TBM, manufactured in Germany by Herrenknecht, will be around 10 metres wide and will take about five months to complete the first bore of two parallel tunnels.

The Long Itchington Wood tunnel avoids disrupting the ancient woodland located above the tunnelling works. Once the first bore is complete, the TBM will be extracted at the South Portal before being transported by road back to the North Portal to commence the second bore. The final section will become a ‘green tunnel’ - also known as a cut and cover tunnel - where a soil ‘roof’ is built around the tunnel entrance to integrate the portal into the natural landscape.

This is the third of our TBMs that will be put to a public vote to name it, with the first two machines already tunnelling under the Chilterns. They were named after two famous local Buckinghamshire women: Florence Nightingale - the founder of modern nursing who spent many years living in Buckinghamshire; and pioneering astronomer and astrophysicist, Cecilia Payne-Gaposchkin, who was born in Buckinghamshire.

The national vote will close at the end of June, with the winner expected to be announced later in the summer.

If you have a question about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk

We have published local community landing pages for each section of the route between London, the West Midlands and Crewe. These provide information about the HS2 route within each area. Over the coming weeks we will be adding further pages and information to each area.

We are aiming to complete this exercise in July this year and will write to you to confirm this closer to the time.

We’re asking you to sign up for notifications to continue to receive updates from HS2

We will no longer be using this website or Commonplace to issue email updates to you. Instead, we are asking that you sign up to receive information from HS2 directly. We will continue to produce regular updates about the project, including notifications of our upcoming works, how it’s being constructed and what we’re doing to make it less disruptive.

If you would like to continue to receive updates from HS2 you can sign up for email notifications at engagement.hs2.org.uk/join-mailing-list . We will ask you to confirm your email address as part of the sign-up process.

The personal information you provide will be handled in accordance with current data protection legislation and only used for the purposes for which you have provided it.

Find out more about what we will do to keep your information safe in our Personal information charter .

Contact us if you have any questions

If you have any questions about these changes or would like some help signing up to receive email updates from us please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team, available all day, every day on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk

If you have a question about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk

On Wednesday 19 May , we informed you that from Wednesday 2 June to Friday 4 June, 9.30am to 3.30pm each day, temporary lane closures would be installed along sections of the A452 northbound and A446 southbound near Northway Island. We have been carrying out these traffic measures to allow safe access to our work sites to prepare for future construction works, which includes roadside vegetation clearance .

Due to unforeseen circumstances, these temporary lane closures will be extended to Monday 7 June and Tuesday 8 June.

These traffic measures will be carried out in conjunction with a new direction of travel for road users around Northway Island, which will commence on Monday 24 May.

You can view the revised works notification, including a map, here .

If you have a question about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk

We have published local community landing pages for each section of the route between London, the West Midlands and Crewe. These provide information about the HS2 route within each area. Over the coming weeks we will be adding further pages and information to each area.

Once we have moved all of the key pages and information from this website onto the HS2 website later this summer, we will stop updating this website. Visitors to this website will be signposted to the new pages within HS2.org.uk

At this point, we will stop publishing updates to this website and you will no longer receive email notifications from this website.

We are aiming to complete this exercise in July this year and will write to you to confirm this closer to the time.

In addition to moving the local website we are also taking this opportunity to improve our mailing lists and create greater flexibility around how you receive information from us.

We will no longer be using this website or Commonplace to issue email updates to you. Instead, we are asking that you sign up to receive information from HS2 directly. We will continue to produce regular updates about the project, including notifications of our upcoming works, how it’s being constructed and what we’re doing to make it less disruptive.

If you would like to continue to receive updates from HS2 you can sign up for email notifications at engagement.hs2.org.uk/join-mailing-list . We will ask you to confirm your email address as part of the sign-up process.

Once we have moved across all of the pages and information from this website over to the HS2 website we will stop issuing emails from this website. Instead, you will receive emails directly from us about the parts of the project that you’ve expressed an interest in.

The personal information you provide will be handled in accordance with current data protection legislation and only used for the purposes for which you have provided it.

Find out more about what we will do to keep your information safe on our Personal information charter .

If you have any questions about these changes or would like some help signing up to receive email updates from us please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team, available all day, every day on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk.

On Tuesday 11 May , we informed you that we would install temporary 24-hour traffic lights on a short section of the A452 from Monday 24 May for one week.

However, due to unforeseen circumstances outside of our control, these traffic lights will no longer be installed on Monday 24 May. The changes to the re-routing around Northway Island also outlined in the notification will go ahead as planned.

We’ll inform you of the revised dates for the temporary traffic lights in due course.

If you have a question about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk .

Subject to obtaining the relevant consents, from Wednesday 2 June to Thursday 4 June, 9.30am to 3.30pm each day, temporary lane closures will be installed along sections of the A452 northbound and A446 southbound near Northway Island. We are carrying out these traffic measures to allow safe access to our work sites to prepare for future construction works, which includes roadside vegetation clearance .

Our works start date and duration may change because our works are dependent on the relevant consents being granted, which may affect when we carry out our planned traffic measures. We’ll inform you of any changes to these planned traffic measures before they take effect, if required, at: www.hs2insolihull.co.uk

These traffic measures will be carried out in conjunction with a new direction of travel for road users around Northway Island, which will commence on Monday 24 May.

You can view the works notification, including a map, here .

Temporary overnight lane closures on the M42 from Monday 7 June to Friday 11 June 2021

When the future HS2 Interchange Station is operational, four new highways bridges will connect the current road network to new routes we are creating. The first of these new highways bridges was safely installed in August 2020 over the M42 . This year, we’ll carry out various activities to fully reinstate the motorway’s assets such as streetlighting.

To carry out this work safely, we’ll install temporary, overnight lane closures along sections of the M42, between junctions 6 and 7, from 10pm to 5am between Monday 7 June and Friday 11 June inclusive. This will include hard shoulder closures along this section of the M42 northbound and southbound.

Our contractors may be on site up to an hour before and after these times to set up and close down the site.

You can view the works notification, including a map, here .

If you have a question about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk

A crew of 17 people will operate each TBM, working in shifts to keep the machines running 24/7. They will be supported by over 100 people on the surface, managing the logistics and maintaining the smooth progress of the tunnelling operation. Chalk excavated from the tunnels will be used for landscaping at the south portal site once construction is complete, creating wildlife-rich chalk grassland habitats across 127 hectares of the southern Chiltern hills. Find out more about HS2's tunnelling programme .

Named after nursing pioneer Florence Nightingale – a name suggested by local children due to her residence at nearby Claydon House in Buckinghamshire, and chosen in a public vote – the TBM will dig the first of a pair of 10 mile long tunnels under the Chiltern hills and help to safeguard the woodland and wildlife habitats above ground, before emerging near Hyde Heath. A second machine ‘Cecilia’ will launch next month to excavate the second tunnel at the South Portal site.

Built by Herrenknecht, a world leader in TBM manufacturing, at its factory in south-west Germany, the two 170m long machines were transported to the UK in more than 300 separate shipments last year , before being reassembled, tested and commissioned by an expert team of tunnelling engineers at the Chiltern tunnel south portal site, near the M25 to the north-west of London.

The first two TBMs will be operated by main works contractor, Align – a joint venture formed of three international infrastructure companies: Bouygues Travaux Publics, Sir Robert McAlpine, and VolkerFitzpatrick. Align is recruiting 1,200 personnel in total, including 100 apprentices, to work on this area of the project and are targeting their recruitment and investment in upskilling local people who are currently unemployed, with a particular focus on women, the under 25s and those with disabilities, helping us support the UK Government’s Plan for Jobs to protect, support and create employment during the COVID-19 crisis.

More than 16,000 jobs and over 500 apprenticeships are already being supported by the project, which is set to transform transport links between Britain’s major cities, free up space on the rail network for more freight and local services and support the UK’s transition to net zero carbon emissions.

The names of the two TBMs were suggested by students at Meadow High School in Hillingdon and The Chalfonts Community College, Buckinghamshire, which are close to the tunnel launch site. They were inspired by Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern medicine, and pioneering astronomer and astrophysicist, Cecilia Payne-Gaposchkin.

Some facts and figures about the Chiltern tunnel TBMs :

If you have a question about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk

If you have a question about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk .

We are remodelling and improving sections of the existing road network in the area and creating new routes on HS2 land. These road improvements will ensure that when the future station is operational, the local road network is fit for purpose. Upon completion, a new T-junction will replace Northway Island. A new ‘longabout’ is already in operation outside the Holiday Inn Express NEC, on the way to the National Exhibition Centre (NEC).

To date, we have connected parts of the existing road network to some of the new routes we created, and installed new pedestrian footpaths, kerb lines and central reservations in the area. We started the creation of the new T-junction in April. This programme will continue with some changes to the existing traffic rerouting around Northway Island which commenced on Monday 26 April .

From Monday 24 May, one of the short sections of Northway Island that was closed on Monday 26 April will reopen, whilst the other section remains closed. Depending on your direction of travel, road users will no longer be able to travel around the whole of the Island and you may be redirected from Northway Island, along the B4438, and back.

You will still be able to access all routes, there will just be a short diversion from some parts of Northway Island. Direction of travel along the B4438, A452 and Northway will be unaffected.

These traffic measures will be reviewed around July 2021. We’ll keep you informed of any changes to the direction of travel around Northway Island before they take effect.

In conjunction with the traffic measures outlined above, we will also install temporary 24-hour traffic lights on a short section of the A452 from Monday 24 May for one week.

We will maintain access to all buildings, businesses and travel routes in the area during this programme.

You can view the works notification, including a map, here .

If you have a question about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk

The fresh look of the educational resources follows on from the introduction earlier this year of a suite of curriculum-linked projects designed to help teachers and parents home schooling during the Covid-19 pandemic when we were unable to deliver our regular programme of STEM workshops and schools were less able to take students 'off-curriculum' for career-themed activities during lockdown.

Created by our Skills, Employment and Education team, the resource pages include plans for STEM lessons which teachers can use to introduce a careers context to regular curriculum lessons. Activities take around 1-2 hours to complete and include using maths skills to work out how to construct a bridge across a motorway, researching the ecology of great created newts to create new habitats and using archaeological information to interpret the history of a site. Pupils also have the opportunity to design a new product to improve the customer experience when travelling by train and use their science skills to create an environmental improvement plan for their school.

We have also included a delivery guide for teachers who would like to run a STEM inspiration day in their school. This includes videos, teacher notes, presentations and worksheets for activities where students can develop their skills through hands-on and team build challenges to inspire them to become EPIC (Extraordinary People Initiating Change) engineers. Students develop their STEM powers, exploring the essential skills that are needed to be successful in a STEM career. Activities are underpinned by examples from the world of work, with students finding out about careers in transport infrastructure as they take on different roles in the challenges.

Activities include 'Stations of the Future': a team-based design-and-present activity where students compete to design a futuristic train station considering future trends and the needs of all customers and also tunnel building, where students design, construct and test a supporting structure for a cut and cover tunnel.

We have also introduced STEM projects accredited by the British Science Association, which, when completed, can be entered for a CREST Award. These are longer projects aimed at inspiring pupils to become scientists and engineers that encourage students to carry out independent research or investigation. The target age and duration of the projects vary.

The updated online resources also include activities adapted for students with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) to encourage them to think about pursuing STEM careers. Downloadable lessons for SEND students include working in teams to design a train station, learning about ecosystems and building an insect hotel, and preparing for independent rail travel through role play.

Younger students aged between 7-11 can also get involved in shorter activities ranging from making rail tracks from everyday materials, solving puzzles and planning a railway route.

If you have a question about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk

We would like to invite you to join a free webinar focussing on the environmental sustainability of both Interchange and Curzon Street Station .

Interchange Station

Our brand new West Midlands stations will be amongst the most environmentally friendly buildings in the world once complete. During this free webinar you will hear from our environmental experts about what BREEAM is, the process for achieving an excellent or outstanding BREEAM rating and how we are designing Curzon St Station and Interchange Station to be amongst the world’s most environmentally sustainable stations.

Birmingham Curzon Street Station

The webinar will be broadcast live on Wednesday 12 May, from 12.00-13.15 and you will be able to ask the team questions via a live Q&A chat.

We will be publishing a video recording of the session online, so if you are unable to attend the event, you will still be able to learn about what we are doing through a dedicated playlist on the HS2 YouTube channel .

This is the third in a series of webinars focussing on Building HS2’s West Midlands stations. The next webinar, Interchange Station- Building Bridges, will take place later this summer. Please visit our events pages for more details.

If you have a question about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk

On Friday 9 April , we advised that traffic rerouting around Northway Island was scheduled to commence from 5am on Monday 12 April 2021 for two months. However, due to unforeseen circumstances outside of our control, this rerouting was postponed .

Traffic rerouting around Northway Island will now commence from 5am on Monday 26 April for four weeks . During the next four weeks, short sections of Northway Island will be closed. As a result, road users will no longer be able to travel around the whole of the Island. Depending on your direction of travel, you may be redirected from Northway Island and back to access routes either side of the M42.

Direction of travel along the B4438, A452 and Northway will be unaffected, and you will still be able to access all routes in the area.

During this four week period, we will maintain free flowing traffic, as well as access to all buildings and businesses in the area.

To safely carry out activities in preparation for traffic rerouting to commence on Monday 26 April, sections of the B4438 will also be closed from 12 midnight to 2am on Monday 26 April . A signed diversion route will be in place for drivers.

You can view the works notification, including maps, here .

If you have a question about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk .

On Friday 9 April, we advised that traffic rerouting around Northway Island was scheduled to commence from 5am on Monday 12 April 2021 for two months. However, due to unforeseen circumstances outside of our control, this rerouting has been postponed .

We’ll inform you of the revised dates in due course.

In the meantime, single lane closures will be reinstalled on and around Northway Island.

You can view the works notification showing the current area of single lane closures, including a map, here .

Temporary overnight single lane closures on the M42 from Monday 26 April to Saturday 8 May, and overnight road closures on the A452 and A446 on Monday 26, Tuesday 27 and Wednesday 28 April

When the future HS2 Interchange Station is operational, four new highways bridges will connect the current road network to new routes we are creating. The first of these new highways bridges was safely installed in August over the M42 , and the second was installed in October over the A446 . This year, we will carry out various activities to fully reinstate these roads such as sealant works.

To carry out this work safely, we will install:

• Temporary overnight single lane closures along the M42 from 10pm to 5am, between Monday 26 April and Saturday 8 May

• Temporary overnight road closures along the A452 and A446 from 8pm to 6am, on Monday 26, Tuesday 27 and Wednesday 28 April

Signed diversion routes will be in place for drivers during the overnight road closures. Our contractors may be on site up to an hour before and after these times to set up and close down the site.

You can view the works notification, including a map, here .

If you have a question about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk .

You can view the works notification, including a map, here.

If you have a question about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk .

On Thursday 11 March , we informed you that we would carry out a temporary weekend closure along a short section of the B4438 from 8pm on Friday 26 March to 5am on Monday 29 March.

However, due to unforeseen circumstances outside of our control, this temporary weekend closure will now be carried out from:

• 8pm on Friday 9 April to 5am on Monday 12 April

Also, from 12 midnight to 2am on Monday 12 April, the closure extent and signed diversion route will change , as we work on a short section of Northway Island.

Our contractors may be on site up to an hour before and after those times to set up and close down the site.

Signed diversion routes will be in place for drivers during the weekend closure.

View the updated works notification on our In your area map .

If you have a question about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk .

Where: Online via Zoom Sign Up Here

PLEASE NOTE:

Parental consent is needed to register.

Parents/guardians are responsible for supervising children during the session but should not appear on the screen for safeguarding purposes.

This session is being led by Wessex Archaeology supported by LM, HS2 and the Council of British Archaeology.

While you’re here…

The Coleshill site is being excavated because it’s on the route of High Speed Two (HS2). The UK’s largest archaeology programme is taking place along this route and has unearthed exciting discoveries.

We would love to know if you are interested in joining regular online sessions for 8 – 16 year olds, exploring the archaeology of HS2 or the archaeology of the Birmingham/Warwickshire area in general.

Sounds good to you?

If you are interested in joining regular online sessions, we recommend coming along to this session.

If you are 18 or over and would like to be involved in supporting the running of the group contact engagement@wessexarch.co.uk.

If you have a question about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk.

On Thursday 11 March , we informed you that we would carry out a temporary weekend closure along a short section of the B4438 from 8pm on Friday 26 March to 5am on Monday 29 March.

However, due to unforeseen circumstances outside of our control, this temporary weekend closure has been postponed .

We’ll inform you of the revised dates in due course.

If you have a question about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk .

We are remodelling and improving sections of the existing road network in the area, and constructing new routes on HS2 land, which will connect to four new highway bridges. These road improvements will ensure that when the future HS2 Interchange Station is operational, the local road network is fit for purpose.

As part of this programme, we installed temporary, 24-hour traffic lights on a short section of Northway on Friday 12 March to safely undertake utility activities. Originally , these works were scheduled to conclude in one week, however due to unforeseen circumstances, these traffic lights will now remain in place until Friday 26 March.

These traffic measures will continue to be carried out in conjunction with a single lane closure along Northway.

These temporary traffic measure will be carried out alongside continued phased, single lane closures on and around Northway Island .

The map below outlines the location of the temporary traffic lights and accompanying single lane closure in orange.

If you have any questions about these works, or about HS2, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk .

The new In your area map brings all of our work notifications together on one page, making it easier for you to navigate and ensure you are kept up-to-date on the work we are doing to deliver the new railway. There is also a text only view , which allows you to view the information in a table and filter results for each area.

Each work item, highlighted on the map with a 'hard hat' icon, lets you know:

You can easily see any other works we might be doing nearby, also pinpointed with an icon.

We will be introducing further improvements to the mapping tool and to this local website over the coming months. We will keep you informed of changes as they happen through our regular email notifications and our local engagement events and activities.

We'd like to know what you think about the new mapping tool and ways that we can improve it, to ensure that you can easily find information about the delivery of the railway in your area and how to contact us if you have any questions.

Let us know your views by completing our In your area map feedback survey .

If you have any questions about the recent changes or would like some help using the new interactive map, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk .

We are remodelling and improving sections of the existing road network in the area, and constructing new routes on HS2 land, which will connect to four new highway bridges. These road improvements will ensure that when the future HS2 Interchange Station is operational, the local road network is fit for purpose.

As part of this programme, we will install a temporary, weekend road closure on a short section of the B4438 from 8pm on Friday 26 March, to 5am on Monday 29 March.

Our contractors may be on site up to an hour before and after those times to set up and close down the site. A signed diversion route will be in place for drivers during the weekend closure. If work progresses faster than expected, we will reopen the B4438 earlier if possible.

You can view the works notification, including a map, here .

Temporary, 24-hour traffic lights on the Northway from Friday 12 March 2021 for one week

As part of our highways programme, we will also install temporary, 24-hour traffic lights on a short section of Northway from Friday 12 March for one week to safely undertake utility activities. These traffic measures will be carried out in conjunction with a single lane closure along Northway.

These temporary traffic measure will be carried out alongside continued phased, single lane closures on and around Northway Island.

The map below outlines the location of the temporary traffic lights and accompanying single lane closure in orange.

If you have a question about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk .

We will be publishing a video recording of the session online, so if you are unable to attend the event, you will still be able to learn about what we are doing through a dedicated playlist on the HS2 YouTube channel. Further joining instructions will be sent to all registered attendees closer to the time.

Watch the first webinar in the Building HS2’s West Midlands Stations series – Designing Interchange Station .

The next webinar will be 'Midlands Stations – Achieving a Sustainable Lifetime Through Design'. Please subscribe to www.hs2inBirmingham.co.uk to be kept informed about this and future sessions, or visit www.hs2.org.uk/events for details of all upcoming events.

If you have a question about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk .

When the future HS2 Interchange Station is operational, four new highways bridges will connect the current road network to new routes we are creating. The first of these new highways bridges was safely installed in August over the M42 , and the second was installed in October over the A446 . This year, we will carry out various activities to fully reinstate these roads such as street lighting connections.

To carry out this work safely, we will install:

• Temporary overnight single lane closures along the M42 southbound from 10pm to 5am, between Monday 15 March and Saturday 27 March (the hard shoulder along the closure will also be closed)

• Temporary overnight road closures along the A452 and A446 from 8pm to 6am, on Monday 15, Tuesday 16 and Wednesday 17 March

Signed diversion routes will be in place for drivers during the overnight road closures. Our contractors may be on site up to an hour before and after these times to set up and close down the site.

You can view the works notification, including a map, here .

If you have a question about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk .

If you have a question about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk .

When the future HS2 Interchange Station is operational, four new highways bridges will connect the current road network to new routes we are creating. The first of these new highways bridges was safely installed in August over the M42 , and the second was installed in October over the A446 . This year, we will carry out various activities to fully reinstate these roads, such as drainage connections.

On Monday 25 January , we informed you that we were planning to install a combination of temporary, overnight road closures and 24-hour single lane closures along the A452 and A446 from Monday 8 February to Tuesday 16 February.

However, due to adverse weather conditions forecast throughout this week, we will reschedule parts of this closure programme. The following traffic measures will no longer take place:

• Temporary, overnight road closures along the A452 and A446 from 8pm on Tuesday 9 February to 6am on Wednesday 10 February, and from 8pm on Thursday 11 February to 6am on Friday 12 February

We’ll inform you of the revised dates in due course.

The following traffic measures will proceed as planned:

• Temporary, overnight road closure along the A446 northbound and southbound from 8pm on Wednesday 10 February to 6am on Thursday 11 February

• Temporary, overnight road closures along the A452 and A446 from 8pm on Monday 15 February to 6am on Tuesday 16 February

• 24-hour single lane closures along the A446 from Monday 8 February to Monday 15 February

• 24-hour single lane closures along the A452 from Monday 8 February to Monday 15 February

You can view the original works notification , including a map, here.

HS2 Notification: Temporary weekend closure on a short section of the A452 rescheduled to Friday 19 February – Monday 22 February 2021

On Friday 15 January , we informed you that we would carry out a temporary weekend closure along a short section of the A452 from 8pm on Friday 12 February, to 5am on Monday 15 February.

However, due to events outside of our control, this temporary weekend closure will now be carried out on the following dates:

• From 8pm on Friday 19 February to 5am on Monday 22 February

Our contractors may be on site up to an hour before and after those times to set up and close down the site. If work progresses faster than expected, we will reopen the A452 earlier if possible.

A signed diversion route will be in place for drivers throughout the closure.

You can view the updated works notification , including a map, here.

If you have any questions about the Community and Business Funds, HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk .

Further details of the works taking place can be found on our works in your area page here .

The Funds for Phase One, independently administered by community charity Groundwork UK, support urban and rural, community, environmental and business projects. For more information on Groundwork and the funds, including how to apply, visit https://hs2funds.org.uk/ . You can also watch our short videos which explain how to best demonstrate that your project meets the criteria for the Community, Environment or Business Funds.

If you have any questions about the Community and Business Funds, HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk .

We are currently preparing as much of the future HS2 railway route as possible to ensure that main construction work can commence on time in the Interchange area. Our activities include some vegetation and tree clearance. To conduct this safely, we need to install temporary single lane closures in the Interchange area. You can find out more information about sustainable high speed travel here .

Subject to obtaining the relevant consents, we’ll install temporary single lane closures on and around Biddles Loop from Monday 15 February for two weeks. Our working hours will be 9.30am 3.30pm, Monday to Friday. Our contractors may be on site up to an hour before and after those times to set up and close down the site.

You will still be able to travel along all routes in both directions.

Our works start date and duration may change because our works are dependent on the relevant consents being granted, which may affect when we carry out our planned traffic measures.

These traffic measures will be carried out in conjunction with existing 24-hour single lane closures on and around Northway Island. These works were communicated in December 2020 .

You can view the works notification, including a map, here .

If you have a question about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk .

Works are scheduled to start on 22 February through to the 5 March excluding Saturday and Sunday nights. The road will be closed between 8.00pm and 6:00am each night, pedestrian access will be maintained throughout the closure. There will be advanced warning signs placed on Coleshill Heath Road and we will also keep you updated through www.hs2insolihull.co.uk . There will be a fully signed diversion in place during the closure.

Further information can be found here

* These works are subject to weather conditions.

The new digital platform, hosted on the HS2 website  , offers those looking for work or a change of career, the opportunity to search the very latest vacancies with our construction partners and station contractors delivering the London to Birmingham section of the railway. The jobs board allows prospective candidates to search for vacancies by region or specialism, so they can quickly identify opportunities that match their criteria. 

In September 2020, our four main works contractors and two station construction partners estimated that they would create over 20,000 jobs to support the decade-long construction programme for Phase One of the project. The jobs board, highlighting opportunities to work with us within the  supply chain, makes it easier for jobseekers to navigate and find a position that matches their career aspirations.

It has been developed as part of a job brokerage partnership model, bringing together local authorities, enterprise partnerships, charities and employment support services along the 140-mile route of the first phase of the new railway. Job brokerage partners will play an integral role in supporting individuals from local communities, disadvantaged and underrepresented groups into employment on the project, in line with objectives set out in our Skills, Employment and Education Strategy.

We have already supported 13,000 jobs, including more than 400 new apprenticeship starts and over 550 previously unemployed individuals. Throughout the COVID-19 crisis, we and our contractors also supported over 100 work experience placements to ensure that individuals are actively engaged with the programme and have the very best opportunity to capitalise on future career openings. 

The start of main construction works last year was a catalyst for the project, spearheading £12bn of contract opportunities which British businesses are beginning to bid for.  As our tier one contractors begin procuring suppliers and services required to deliver their work packages, the number of job opportunities will increase. This heightened demand has created new career pathways and long-term career prospects for individuals at all levels, in both blue and white-collar roles.

Please click here for more information about HS2’s job brokerage programme, or to search for vacancies on the new job platform .

If you have a question about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk .

We are remodelling and improving sections of the existing road network in the area, and constructing new routes on HS2 land, which will connect to four new highway bridges. These road improvements will ensure that when the future HS2 Interchange Station is operational, the local road network is fit for purpose .

On Friday 15 January , we informed you that we would carry out a temporary weekend closure along a short section of the B4438 from 8pm on Friday 29 January, to 5am on Monday 1 February.

However, due to adverse weather conditions forecast for this weekend, this temporary weekend closure will now be carried out on the following dates:

Our contractors may be on site up to an hour before and after those times to set up and close down the site. If work progresses faster than expected, we will reopen the B4438 earlier if possible.

A signed diversion route will be in place for drivers throughout the closure.

If you have a question about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk .

We will be publishing a video recording of the session online, so if you are unable to attend the event, you will still be able to learn about what we are doing through a dedicated playlist on the HS2 YouTube channel .

This is the first in a series of webinars we will be running, highlighting the building of our West Midlands stations. The next webinar, Designing Curzon Street Station, will take place in March. Please visit www.hs2.org.uk/events for details of all upcoming events.

If you have a question about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk .

The online resources were created as a result of us being unable to visit schools to deliver our regular programme of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) workshops because of Covid-19 restrictions and also schools being less able to take students 'off-curriculum' for career-themed activities due to the disruption caused by the pandemic.

Our Skills, Employment and Education team has created plans for STEM lessons which teachers can use to introduce a careers context to regular curriculum lessons. The activities are expected to take 1-2 hours to complete and are aimed primarily at 11-14 year-olds. Lessons include using maths skills to decide on how to construct a bridge across a motorway, researching the ecology of great created newts to create new habitats and using archaeological information to interpret the history of a site. There are also longer STEM projects and workshops available online, where students can develop their skills through hands-on and team build challenges to inspire them to become EPIC engineers.

During the past year, five HS2 colleagues have become Enterprise Advisors for schools for students with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). Our work with these schools revealed a demand for STEM activities adapted for SEND students, to encourage them to consider STEM careers. Online lessons for SEND students include working in teams to design a train station, learning about ecosystems and building an insect hotel, and preparing for independent rail travel through role play.

Younger students aged between 7-11 can also get involved in shorter activities ranging from making rail tracks from everyday materials, solving puzzles and planning a railway route.

For more information and to download guides and worksheets, visit our learning from home educational content web page .

If you have a question about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk .

When the future HS2 Interchange Station is operational, four new highways bridges will connect the current road network to new routes we are creating. The first of these new highways bridges was safely installed in August over the M42 , and the second was installed in October over the A446 . This year, we will carry out various activities to fully reinstate these roads, such as drainage connections.

To carry out this work safely, we will install:

• Temporary, overnight road closures along the A452 and A446 from 8pm to 6am, from Monday 8 February to Friday 12 February, and then from 8pm to 6am, from Monday 15 February to Tuesday 16 February

• 24-hour single lane closures along the A446 from Monday 8 February to Wednesday 10 February

• 24-hour single lane closures along the A452 from Monday 8 February to Monday 15 February

Our contractors may be on site up to an hour before and after those times to set up and close down the site. Signed diversion routes will be in place for drivers during the overnight road closures.

You can view the works notification, including a map, here .

If you have a question about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk .

Works are scheduled to start on Monday 22 February through to Friday 26 February. Th ese works are subject to weather conditions.

The road will be closed between 9:30am and 3.30pm each day, pedestrian access will be maintained throughout the closure.

Further information can be found here .

This is the second instalment of our series on the Coleshill Manor site. The first webinar took place in November 2020 and is available to watch now: HS2 In Focus: Archaeology - Uncovering the Medieval manor house in Coleshill, November 2020 webinar

Our team will discuss new finds, including artefacts, garden features and building remains and also highlight how these are helping us to build a greater picture of the manor house. You will be able to ask the team questions via a live Q&A chat option and pre-submit questions when you register.

We also recommend that you watch our previous webinars on the Coleshill site, so that you are up to date on our work so far:

The Archaeology of HS2: Uncovering the stories of Coleshill’s past

HS2 InFocus Webinar: The Archaeology of HS2 - Uncovering Coleshill

We will be publishing a video recording of the session online, so if you are unable to attend the event, you will still be able to learn about what has been unearthed so far through a dedicated playlist on the HS2 YouTube channel.

If you have a question about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk .

You can view the works notification, including a map, here .

If you have a question about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk

If you have a question about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk .

This is the second instalment of our series on the Coleshill Manor site. The first webinar took place in November 2020 and is available to watch now: HS2 In Focus: Archaeology - Uncovering the Medieval manor house in Coleshill, November 2020 webinar

Our team will chat about some of the new discoveries on site, including artefacts, garden features and building remains and discuss how these new findings are helping us to build a greater picture of the manor house. You will be able to ask the team questions via a live Q&A chat option and pre-submit questions when you register.

We also recommend that you watch our previous webinars on the Coleshill site, so that you are up to date on our work so far:

The Archaeology of HS2: Uncovering the stories of Coleshill’s past

HS2 InFocus Webinar: The Archaeology of HS2 - Uncovering Coleshill

We will be publishing a video recording of the session online, so if you are unable to attend the event, you will still be able to learn about what has been unearthed so far through a dedicated playlist on the HS2 YouTube channel.

If you have a question about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk .

Please note, there has been a change to the working hours. The road will now be closed between 8.00pm and 06.00am each night, pedestrian access will be maintained throughout the closure. There will be advanced warning signs placed on Coleshill Heath Road. Please see the notification here .

If you have a question about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk.

The planting initiative is part of our extensive Green Corridor programme, designed to create a network of bigger, better-connected, habitats and new green spaces for people to enjoy. 430,000 trees have already been planted across Phase One and up to 7 million trees will eventually be planted along this part of the route, with many new grasslands, meadows and recreational areas for local communities.

This short video highlights progress so far in the delivery of the Green Corridor.

In Warwickshire and the wider West Midlands , 60,000 trees will be planted at locations around South Cubbington Wood, Ashbeds Wood, Fulfen Wood, Ravenshaw and Broadwells Wood. A broad range of tree and shrub species will be planted to reflect each local area , including oak, hazel, birch, holly and hawthorn. This builds on the 80,000 trees already planted in the Midlands, with 40 ponds and many acres of wetland, heathland and meadow also created across the region.

Through Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Northamptonshire , advanced planting and woodland compensation planting is being undertaken at West Hyde and Horn Hill, Wendover Dean, Aylesbury, Calvert and near the village of Ladbroke, by specialist ecology and landscape companies.

In West Ruislip , planting will create new woodland areas to provide connected habitats for bats . Trees being planted include field maple, hornbeam, hazel, holly, bird cherry, mountain ash, yew and spindle. There will also be areas of grassland and ponds created to protect local biodiversity and create new homes for a mix of wildlife.

These areas will quickly develop to create new opportunities for wildlife and people, bolstering local wildlife corridors by linking with existing woodlands and other habitats. New wildlife habitats in a variety of locations also include badger setts, bat houses, bird boxes, reptile banks and bug houses to help local wildlife populations thrive.

We have developed a new online map showing where we are delivering Green Corridor activities and highlighting our additional funded environmental projects along the route. You can view relevant Community and Environment Fund (CEF) and Business and Local Economy Fund (BLEF) projects, the Woodland Fund, other local panel funds, and our environmental works in your area.

The Green Corridor Prospectus accompanies the map, outlining how the Green Corridor and associated funding can benefit communities. Used together, these tools will enable community and environment groups to identify local opportunities to enhance and enjoy the natural environment using the funds available.

Funding is available for a wide range of independent environmental projects to benefit nature and communities along the route , including creating new parks and play facilities, investing in green spaces in urban areas, regenerating areas along canals, and conserving and enhancing the historic environment. By working in partnership with organisations and individuals, the Green Corridor will deliver a positive, long-term legacy for the natural and historic environment , and for people and communities across the country.

On Phase One and Phase 2a, the £7m HS2 Woodland Fund is helping local landowners create new native, broadleaf woodlands and restore existing ancient woodland sites. The first £1.25m has been allocated as part of a grant scheme managed on our behalf by the Forestry Commission, supporting 28 woodland projects that will deliver approximately 105 hectares of new woodland and restore a further 68 hectares of ancient woodland.

For more information about funding available and how local groups can apply please visit www.hs2.org.uk/building-hs2/hs2-green-corridor

If you have a question about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk .

If you have a question about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk .

When the future HS2 Interchange Station is operational, four new highways bridges will connect the current road network to new routes we are creating. The first of these new highways bridges was safely installed in August over the M42 , and the second was installed in October over the A446 . In 2021, we will carry out various activities to fully reinstate these roads such as drainage connections.

To carry out this work safely, we’ll install temporary 24-hour lane closures along the M42 from 8pm on Friday 15 January 2021 to 5am on Monday 18 January 2021. Our contractors may be on site up to an hour before and after those times to set up and close down the site. Lane closure direction will alternate throughout the weekend, and the hard shoulder within the closure extents will also be closed.

You will still be able to travel along all routes in both directions.

You can view the works notification , including a map, here.

If you have a question about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk .

View and download the Community Engagement Progress Report: January to June 2020 report. A collection of all our reports to date can be found on the HS2 website .

We will continue to publish these reports on a regular basis.

As part of our commitment to conserve and enhance Britain’s natural environment as we plan and build the railway, HS2 is creating a Green Corridor along the route, a network of joined up habitats, landscaping and community-based environmental projects.

We have developed an online map showing where we are delivering Green Corridor activities and where additional HS2 funded environmental projects are being delivered along the route. You will be able to use the map to view relevant Community and Environment Fund (CEF) and Business and Local Economy Fund (BLEF) projects, the Woodland Fund, other local panel funds, and HS2 environmental works in your area.

We have also published a Green Corridor Prospectus to accompany the map. The prospectus outlines the many ways the Green Corridor and associated funding can benefit communities, for example, through the creation of new play facilities, investment in green spaces in urban areas, regeneration along canals, and conservation and enhancement of the historic environment.

Used together the Prospectus and the online map will enable community and environment groups to identify local opportunities to enhance and enjoy the natural environment using the funds available.

As you will know there are a number of grants available to support environmental projects and improve green spaces in your constituency, such as the HS2 Community & Environment Fund and the Woodland Fund. If you would like to know more about how local groups can apply for funding please visit www.hs2.org.uk/building-hs2/hs2-green-corridor .

We are committed to providing you with information about what construction activities will be happening in your area and when. Our construction forward looks include information on construction, environmental and survey activities planned over the next three months. The latest edition is available to view and download on the works in your area page .

Please note that the dates and information included in the forward look may be subject to change as the programme develops and any changes will be updated in the next edition of the forward look.

As a reminder, over the festive period the HS2 Helpdesk will continue to operate all day, every day , including Christmas Day and bank holidays. You can contact us for free on 08081 434 434, by Minicom on 08081 456 472, or by email at HS2enquiries@hs2.org.uk.

We are remodelling and improving sections of the existing road network in the area, and constructing new routes on HS2 land, which will connect to four new highway bridges. These road improvements will ensure that when the future HS2 Interchange Station is operational, the local road network is fit for purpose.

This is an ongoing programme of works, which commenced in March 2020 in the Interchange area.

Reduced, temporary traffic measures will remain in place in the area throughout the Christmas period, and then measures will increase in the new year. We will continue to install our traffic measures during daytime hours as traffic movements in the area remain low, however if traffic movements increase substantially, restricted working hours will be reintroduced.

Although LM will not carry out any physical works in the Interchange area from Monday 21 December 2020 to Sunday 3 January 2021, 24-hour single lane closures will remain in place along short sections of Northway, and the A452 and B4438, for health and safety purposes.

From Monday 4 January 2021, single lane closures will be installed on and around Northway Island for three weeks. Our working hours will be 7am to 6pm, but some traffic measures will remain in place 24-hours. We’ll work Monday to Friday, however we may extend our works into the weekend if required. Temporary traffic lights will continue to be used intermittently along the A452 during our work.

You will still be able to travel along all routes in both directions.

You can view the works notification, including a map, here .

If you have a question about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk

For more information, including a map, please follow this link

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the HS2 enquiries team on 08081 434 434 or via HS2enquiries@hs2.org.uk

Please see our notification , for more information, including maps showing the extent of the closures.

If you have a question about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk.

We received 457 replies and our Survey Response Document summarising these has now been published on our website .

If you have a question about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk

To find out more, please go to the news pages on the HS2 website.

If you have a question about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk .

We are remodelling and expanding sections of the existing road network in the Interchange area , and constructing new routes on HS2 land, which will connect to four new highway bridges. These road improvements will ensure that when the future HS2 Interchange Station is operational, the local road network is fit for purpose.

This is an ongoing programme of works, which commenced in March 2020.

To enable us to connect parts of the existing road network safely and smoothly, to the new routes we create, a series of weekend road closures will be installed in 2020 and 2021 on and around Northway Island. The first of these closures will take place in early December 2020. After completion, road users will begin to travel on a new section of the remodelled road network near the Holiday Inn Express NEC along the B4438.

We’ll temporarily close a short section of the B4438 from 8pm on Friday 4 December, to 5am on Monday 7 December. Our contractors may be on site up to an hour before and after those times to set up and close down the site.

A signed diversion route will be in place for drivers.

Please see our notification , including a map showing the extent of the closure and the diversion routes, for more information.

If you have a question about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk .

We will be publishing a video recording of the session online, so if you are unable to attend the event, you will still be able to learn about what we are doing through a dedicated playlist on the HS2 YouTube channel .

Even before HS2 starts operating, there are countless environmental projects and innovations occurring up and down the route to protect, preserve and enhance Britain’s precious natural environment.

We continue to undertake one of the largest ecological surveys in the UK. Some of the UK’s most experienced and leading ecological consultants are working with us, and our work is supported with technical input and advice from specialist ecologists.

Visit the HS2 website for more information about our work to manage our impact on the environment .

If you have a question about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk .

To find out more please see our Notification .

If you have a question about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk.

During 2020, we are remodelling and expanding sections of the existing road network in the area , and constructing new routes on HS2 land, which will connect to four new highway bridges. These road improvements will ensure that when the future HS2 Interchange Station is operational, the local road network is fit for purpose. This work includes vegetation and tree removal in preparation for construction.

To carry out roadside vegetation clearance safely, we’ll install a temporary lane closure on the A45 Coventry Road slip road leading to the Bickenhill Household Waste and Recycling Centre (HWRC). This lane closure will be in place from Tuesday 1 December until Tuesday 15 December between 9.30am until 3.30pm. Our contractors may be on site for up to an hour before and after those times to set up and secure the site.

Access to Bickenhill HWRC and other local businesses will always be maintained.

Please see the attached works notification for more information and map.

If you have a question about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk.

During 2020, we are remodelling and expanding sections of the existing road network in the area , and constructing new routes on HS2 land, which will connect to four new highway bridges. These road improvements will ensure that when the future HS2 Interchange Station is operational, the local road network is fit for purpose.

This is an ongoing programme of works, which commenced in March 2020.

We previously notified you about the installation of 24-hour temporary traffic lights on a short section of the A452 from Monday 12 October for four weeks, and an accompanying single lane closure along this stretch of road, which would alternate between northbound and southbound.

These traffic measure will now be extended to Wednesday 16 December 2020. The map below outlines the location of the extended temporary traffic lights and accompanying single lane closure in orange.

This schedule is subject to change depending on site and weather conditions. We’ll keep you informed of any adjustments at: www.hs2insolihull.co.uk

If you have a question about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk.

To ensure that the local road network is fit for purpose when the future HS2 Interchange Station is operational, we are remodelling and improving the existing network and creating new routes on HS2 land.

On Friday 23 October 2020, sections of the A452 Chester Road (northbound) and A446 Stonebridge Road (northbound and southbound) between Stonebridge Island and M6 Junction 4 were closed to traffic. This closure enabled LM to safely install a bridge deck over the A446.

We’re pleased to inform you that the full closure of the A452 and A446 was lifted on Sunday 25 October 24 hours earlier than planned.

Road users can now travel in both directions along the A452. A temporary 24-hour single lane closure is now in place along the A446 southbound for approximately five days, to allow us to carry out various activities to reinstate the road. Please view the works notification , including maps.

We would like to thank you for your cooperation to allow us to successfully complete this phase of work.

If you would like to find out more about what we are doing in the Interchange area for the remainder of 2020, you can read our most recent HS2 Update newsletter .

If you have a question about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk .

On 7 October 2020 , we informed you that we had to postpone our temporary night time road closures on a section of the A45 Service Road and East Way.

These works have now been rescheduled from Monday 2 November through to Wednesday 11 November. The works will take place overnight from 9pm to 5am.

Please see our notification , including a map showing the extent of the closure and the diversion routes, for more information.

If you have a question about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk.

To ensure that the local road network is fit for purpose when the future HS2 Interchange Station is operational, we are remodelling and improving the existing network and creating new routes on HS2 land.

To link the new network with existing routes, we’re building four connecting highways bridges. The first was successfully installed across the M42 in August. To safely install the next bridge deck over the A446, parts of the A452 Chester Road and A446 Stonebridge Road will be closed this weekend.

Sections of the A452 Chester Road (northbound) and A446 Stonebridge Road (northbound and southbound) between Stonebridge Island and M6 Junction 4 will be closed to traffic after evening rush hour on Friday 23 October 2020, and reopen before morning rush hour on Monday 26 October 2020. If work progresses faster than expected, we will reopen the A452 and A446 earlier if possible.

During the temporary closure, diversions will be in place and clear signage will be displayed for drivers. Please visit the Highways England website for full details or view the works notification , including a map.

After this second bridge is installed over the A446, we will also need to carry out various activities to reinstate the road. To conduct these safely, we will install a 24-hour single lane closure and then a road closure. Firstly, we'll install a temporary 24-hour single lane closure along the A446 southbound from Monday 26 October for approximately five days. If the bridge over the A446 is completed ahead of schedule and the A452 and A446 are reopened before Monday 26 October, we will install the 24-hour single lane closure from that point.

To complete our activities to reinstate the road, when we remove the 24-hour single lane closure, we will install a temporary road closure along the A446 southbound from Friday 30 October for one night. Please view the works notification , including maps.

If you have a question about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk .

In most cases, our Helpdesk team will be able to answer your question straight away, but if they can’t then they'll work with our local teams in your area to respond.

For more information about our Helpdesk and how to get in touch with us, please visit www.hs2.org.uk/helpdesk

On the 5th of October , we informed you that we were planning to implement a temporary night time road closure on Packington Lane. The works were due to take place from 9pm to 5am on the 16th of October. Due to unforeseen circumstances, we have had to reschedule these works for overnight on Monday 19 October from 9pm to 5am.

If you have a question about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk .

To mark the Council for British Archaeology's Festival of Archaeology , we are holding a series of free online events so you can get involved and find out more about what treasures are being unearthed as we build the country's new high speed railway. The event, now in its 29th year, is being held from October 24 - November 1, shining a light on our past and how our ancestors lived.

If you've ever wondered what an archaeologist does when they’re at work, then or webinar A day in the life of a HS2 Archaeologist on Monday October 26 (12.15 - 12.50pm) is for you!

The session will explore the academic choices and professional job roles which led some of our archaeologists to their careers working on HS2. Hosted by one of our Historic Environment Managers and main works civils contractor CSJV’s Archaeological Lead, this webinar focuses on the careers of Dr Emma Hopla and Dr Emma Tetlow.

They will discuss a typical week in the life of the Archaeological Client and the Archaeological Contractor, as well as some of the exciting discoveries they have made along the way. You will also be able to ask the team questions via a live Q&A chat.

Sign up to attend this free online event via our Eventbrite page

Our second session, An Introduction to HS2 Archaeology: Staffordshire and Cheshire , highlights how our archaeological works on Phase 2a from Fradley to Crewe, which cross north Staffordshire and East Cheshire, build upon our experiences and discoveries from Phase One, revealing new insights and findings about the history of this landscape.

Led by Chris Jordan, our Historic Environment Manager for Phase 2a, this talk will introduce the heritage along the Phase 2a route, including the influence of the landscape, and discuss what we are trying to discover, how we do it, and what exciting finds we might expect over the next few years.

You will be able to ask Chris and the team questions via a live Q&A chat during the online event which takes place on Tuesday October 27 (12.15 - 12.50pm) .

Sign up to attend this free online event via our Eventbrite page

Our final webinar focuses on the archaeological works carried out at St Mary's Church in Stoke Mandeville, Buckinghamshire.

An Introduction to St Mary's in Stoke Mandeville on Wednesday October 28 (12.15 - 12.50pm) will be led by Guy Hunt, Partner at LP Archaeology, alongside experts from HS2 and Fusion. Guy and the team will explain how the site is a fantastic opportunity for archaeologists to examine and understand a landscape which has been occupied by humans for thousands of years, dating back to the Bronze Age.

The team will be available to answer your questions during a live Q&A chat option.

Please be warned that the presentation will contain images of human remains (skeletons).

Sign up to attend this free online event via our Eventbrite page

If you have a question about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk .

This schedule is subject to change depending on site and weather conditions. We’ll keep you informed of any adjustments at: www.hs2insolihull.co.uk

If you have a question about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk

To ensure that the local road network is fit for purpose when the future HS2 Interchange Station is operational, we are expanding and improving the existing network and creating new routes on HS2 land.

These works will be concentrated on and around Northway Island, on the B4438 and Northway. To link the new network with existing routes, we’re building four connecting highways bridges. The first of these new bridges – a 65-metre structure spanning the width of the M42 – was successfully installed in August 2020.

To safely install the next bridge deck over the A446, we will close sections of the A452 Chester Road and A446 Stonebridge Road for one weekend.

Sections of the A452 Chester Road (northbound) and A446 Stonebridge Road (northbound and southbound) between Stonebridge Island and M6 Junction 4 will be closed to traffic after evening rush hour on Friday 23 October 2020, and reopen before morning rush hour on Monday 26 October 2020. If work progresses faster than expected, we will reopen the A452 and A446 earlier if possible.

During the temporary closure, diversions will be in place and clear signage will be displayed along the route for drivers. For full details of the road closures and diversion routes, please visit the Highways England website .

Click here to view the works notification , including a map.

If you have a question about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk .

On Wednesday 30 September , we informed you that we were planning to implement temporary night time road closures on a section of the A45 Service Road and East Way. The works were due to take place 9pm – 5am, from Monday 12 October through to Thursday 15 October. Due to unforeseen circumstances, we have had to postpone these works. We will reschedule these temporary night time road closures within the next six weeks.

We’ll inform you of the revised dates in due course.

If you have a question about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk .

Find out what we are doing in the Interchange area in 2020 by reading our most recent HS2 Update newsletter .

So far this year, we’ve completed most of our utility diversions on and around Northway Island, and carried out various surveys and vegetation clearance. We also safely installed our first of four new highways bridges , in the Interchange area, over the M42. To take traffic over the future railway route, we are continuing to construct two bridges on HS2 land surrounded by the A452, A45 and M42. No traffic measures are required to complete these bridges.

Our final bridge will be installed over the A446 in October 2020. We will close sections of the A452 and A446 in the Interchange area for one weekend to install the bridge deck over the A446. More information on this closure is available within the newsletter and from our Interchange area highways webpage .

From October to December 2020, we will continue to carry out works and traffic measures on and around Northway Island, including Northway and on the B4438, A452, A446 and M42. Most of our traffic measures will be located on Northway, where we are developing new pedestrian footpaths, kerb lines and central reservations, although varying stretches of the road network will be affected at different times until the end of the year.

We advise subscribing for news updates about works and traffic measures in the Interchange area at www.hs2insolihull.co.uk .

If you have a question about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk .

To find out more, see our works notification .

Traffic Management on Coleshill Heath Road, 19th October to 30th October 2020

In June this year we sent out a notification to outline work BBV are completing in the compound area off Coleshill Heath Road. To help continue with these works, BBV will be installing temporary traffic lights on Coleshill Heath Road from 19th October 2020.

The temporary traffic lights will be in place 9:30am – 3:30pm, Monday – Friday for two weeks until Friday 30th October. The temporary traffic lights will enable our contractors to complete utility surveys and the enabling works for our compound in the area.

To find out more, see our works notification .

This schedule is subject to change depending on site and weather conditions. We’ll keep you informed of any adjustments at: www.hs2insolihull.co.uk

If you have a question about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk.

For more information, including a map showing the extents of the night-time and closure and the diversion routes, please see our notification .

24-hour temporary traffic lights on a short section of the A452 from 12 October 2020 for four weeks

During 2020, our early works contractor, LM, are improving and expanding sections of the existing road network in the area, and constructing new routes on HS2 land, which will connect to four new highway bridges. These road improvements will ensure that when the future HS2 Interchange Station is operational, the local road network is fit for purpose.

This is an ongoing programme of works, which commenced in March on Northway and the B4438 .

From Monday 12 October, we will operate 24-hour temporary traffic lights on a short section of the A452. An accompanying single lane closure will be installed along this stretch of road, which will alternate between northbound and southbound. These traffic measures will be in place for four weeks, but if our work progresses faster than expected, we will reopen this section of the A452 earlier if possible.

You will still be able to travel along this section of the A452 and we will ensure clear signage is in place for drivers.

The map below outlines the location of the temporary traffic lights and accompanying single lane closure in orange.

This schedule is subject to change depending on site and weather conditions. We’ll keep you informed of any adjustments at: www.hs2insolihull.co.uk

If you have a question about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk .

Early works for HS2 are being carried out by a joint venture between Laing O’Rourke and J.Murphy & Sons, known as LM. LM has been carrying out works near the A452, A45 and M42 since 2018 . We refer to this area as the Interchange area because it will be the home of the future HS2 Interchange Station .

Located near to the National Exhibition Centre and Birmingham International Airport, Interchange Station will be a major transport gateway for the region, providing high speed rail connections to London, Birmingham and the North of England.

Artist's impression of the new road bridge across the A446

We will now close sections of the A452 and A446 in the Interchange area for one weekend to install the bridge deck over the A446.

Sections of the A452 Chester Road (northbound) and A446 Stonebridge Road (northbound and southbound) between Stonebridge Island and M6 Junction 4 will be closed to traffic after evening rush hour on Friday 23 October 2020, and reopen before morning rush hour on Monday 26 October 2020 . If our work progresses faster than expected, we will reopen the A452 and A446 earlier if possible.

During this temporary closure, diversions will be in place and clear signage will be displayed along the route for drivers. Visit the Highways England website for full details of the road closure and diversion routes .

Further information can also be found on our dedicated webpage: Improving the local road network in the Interchange area .

For more information about this closure please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk .

If you have a question about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email HS2enquiries@hs2.org.uk .

The new woodlands will be part of our ‘Green Corridor’ which will see up to 7 million new trees and shrubs planted between London and the West Midlands, supporting delicately balanced local ecosystems running through the spine of the country.

Our environmental experts, as well as those from LMJV and Five Rivers Environmental Contracting, will be discussing the works that are taking place before we build Britain’s new high-speed railway. The session will also highlight the efforts we are making to ensure that we carefully manage our impact on the existing natural environment during the construction and operation of the new railway.

If you have a question about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk .

During 2020, we are improving and expanding sections of the existing road network in the area, and constructing new routes on HS2 land, which will connect to four new highway bridges. These road improvements will ensure that when the future HS2 Interchange Station is operational, the local road network is fit for purpose.

This is an ongoing programme of works, which commenced in March on Northway and the B4438 .

On Friday 21 August , we informed you that our temporary closure of a short section of the B4438 from 6am on Saturday 22 August, to 6pm on Sunday 23 August would be rescheduled as a result of factors out of our control.

We can now confirm that we will temporarily close a short section of the B4438 from 6am on Saturday 3 October, to 6pm on Sunday 4 October. Signed diversion routes will be in place for drivers.

The map below outlines the location of the temporary closure and diversion route.

This schedule is subject to change depending on site and weather conditions. We’ll keep you informed of any adjustments at: www.hs2insolihull.co.uk

If you have a question about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk .

During 2020, we are improving and expanding sections of the existing road network in the area, and constructing new routes on HS2 land, which will connect to four new highway bridges. These road improvements will ensure that when the future HS2 Interchange Station is operational, the local road network is fit for purpose.

This is an ongoing programme of works, which commenced in March on Northway and the B4438 .

Earlier in the month , we had stated that we would be undertaking this programme during restricted daytime hours throughout September. As traffic movements in the area remain low, some of our traffic measures will now remain in place 24-hours. We expect that the impact of extended working hours on road users is likely to remain low, however if traffic movements increase substantially, restricted working hours will be reintroduced.

To carry out our continued works safely, single lane closures will remain in place on and around Northway Island. Our working hours will be 7am to 6pm, but some traffic measures will remain in place 24-hours. We will work Monday to Friday, however we may extend our works into the weekend if required. Most of our traffic measures will be located on Northway and remain in place 24-hours.

You will still be able to travel along all routes in both directions.

Check the works in your area page for more information and map .

If you have a question about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk .

During 2020, we are building four new highways bridges in the area that surrounds the future HS2 Interchange Station. In the future, these bridges will connect the current road network to new routes we will create over the next two years .

The first of these new highways bridges was safely installed in August over the M42. The next bridge will be located over the A446. To smoothly and efficiently install the A446 bridge deck later in the year, we need to carry out a range of preparation works, such as relocating existing vehicle barriers. To conduct these safely, we need to install temporary overnight road closures.

We’ll temporarily close the A446 northbound and southbound overnight from 8pm on Monday 28 September for approximately 2 weeks. Our working hours will be 8pm to 6am, Monday to Friday, but our contractors may be on site up to an hour before and after those times to set up and close down the site.

A signed diversion route will be in place for drivers.

Please view the works notification , including a map.

If you have a question about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk .

We are improving and expanding sections of the existing road network in the area, and constructing new routes on HS2 land, which will connect to four new highway bridges. These road improvements will ensure that when the future HS2 Interchange Station is operational, the local road network is fit for purpose.

This is an ongoing programme of works, which commenced in March on Northway and the B4438 .

To safely facilitate utility works as part of this programme, a temporary 24-hour single lane closure will be installed along a short section of the B4438 southbound from 7.30am on Saturday 12 September to 5.00pm on Sunday 13 September. This temporary 24-hour single lane closure will then be repeated in the same location from 7.30am on Saturday 19 September to 5.00pm on Sunday 20 September.

The map below outlines the location of the temporary 24-hour single lane closure in orange.

This schedule is subject to change depending on site and weather conditions. We’ll keep you informed of any adjustments at: www.hs2insolihull.co.uk

If you have a question about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk .

You can view the new route and signage on the Footpath diversion map .

If you have a question about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk .

September is an exciting time to learn about the mysteries of the past and how our ancestors lived as we host a series of fascinating online archaeology events as part of Heritage Open Days 2020. In addition, a major three-part documentary will be shown on BBC Two from Tuesday, September 15, exploring the discoveries found in Britain’s largest ever archaeological programme.

Before construction work began, and any track is laid, over 1,000 archaeologists, across more than 60 sites between London and the West Midlands, have been carefully uncovering the secrets of Britain’s past. The BBC series, ' HS2 – The Biggest Dig ' will focus on two major cemetery excavations – one adjacent to London’s Euston station and the other in Park Street, next to Birmingham Curzon Street station – the sites of our two new terminals.

For three years, our archaeologists have been giving TV documentary makers, Lion TV, exclusive access to archaeological sites being excavated as part of the project and the series is presented by anthropologist and anatomist Professor Alice Roberts and historian Dr Yasmin Khan.

The BBC series is complemented throughout September with a number of online archaeology webinars to support Heritage Open Days 2020, highlighting some of the exciting finds uncovered along the route of the new railway.

We're holding the following online events (click on the events below to register):

You can find the full list of our online events at www.hs2.org.uk/events .

We will be publishing video recordings of the session online, so if you are not able to listen live you can still learn about each topic through a dedicated playlist on the HS2 YouTube channel .

HS2 - The Biggest Dig will be also be available on BBC iPlayer .

For more information about HS2 please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk

During 2020, we will improve and expand sections of the existing road network in the area, and construct new routes on HS2 land, which will connect to four new highway bridges. These road improvements will ensure that when the future HS2 Interchange Station is operational, the local road network is fit for purpose.

This is an ongoing programme of works, which commenced in March on Northway and the B4438 .

Earlier in the month , we had stated that we would be changing this programme from daytime working to overnight working. Following further review of our next phase of activities, these works will not be changing to overnight works, and will continue to be delivered during daytime hours. As traffic movements in the area remain low, the impact of returning to daytime working on road users is likely to also remain low.

To carry out our continued works safely, daytime single lane closures will remain in place throughout September from 9.30am to 3.30pm, but our contractors may be on site up to an hour before and after those times. We will work Monday to Friday, however we may extend our works into the weekend if required. Traffic measures on Northway will remain in place 24-hours and temporary traffic lights will continue to be used intermittently on the A452.

You will still be able to travel along all routes in both directions.

You can view the works notification, including a map, here.

If you have a question about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk .

You can find the full list of our online events here .

We will be publishing video recordings of the session online, so if you are not able to listen live you can still learn about each topic through a dedicated playlist on the HS2 YouTube channel .

For more information about HS2 please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk

Read our full press release about the planning approval .

Find out more about the design of the new HS2 Interchange station .

If you have a question about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk .

During 2020, we will improve and expand sections of the existing road network in the area, and construct new routes on HS2 land, which will connect to four new highway bridges. These road improvements will ensure that when the future HS2 Interchange Station is operational, the local road network is fit for purpose.

This is an ongoing programme of works, which commenced in March on Northway and the B4438 .

On Wednesday 5 August , we informed you that we were planning to temporarily close a short section of the B4438 from 6am on Saturday 22 August, to 6pm on Sunday 23 August. Due to factors out of our control, we will reschedule this temporary weekend closure on the B4438 within the next six weeks.

We’ll inform you of the revised dates in due coruse.

If you have a question about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk .

To find out more details, including the planned dates, time and roads effected, please see our notification here.

If you have a question about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk .

After successfully installing the first of these bridges over the M42 , we need to carry out works such as putting in new street lighting alongside the motorway. To conduct these safely, we need to install temporary overnight lane closures.

On 29 July , we originally planned to undertake these temporary overnight lane closures from Monday 10 August, for approximately 4 weeks, on the M42 between junctions 6 and 7. Due to a delay in receiving the necessary consents and the unavailability of road space, we have rescheduled the temporary overnight lane closures from Monday 7 September, for approximately 2 weeks, on the M42 between junctions 6 and 7.

Our works start date and duration may change because our works are dependent on the relevant consents being granted, which may affect when we carry out our planned traffic measures.

In addition, we will not work every evening across the 2 weeks. This is because we are sharing road space with another contractor, Kier, to minimise the quantity of traffic measures on the M42 in the future. When we do work, varying lanes will be closed along the M42.

You will still be able to travel along the M42 in both directions.

Please view the works notification, including a map .

If you have a question about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk .

During 2020, we will improve and expand sections of the existing road network in the area, and construct new routes on HS2 land, which will connect to four new highway bridges. These road improvements will ensure that when the future HS2 Interchange Station is operational, the local road network is fit for purpose.

This is an ongoing programme of works, which commenced in March on Northway and the B4438 .

To carry out our continued works safely, single lane closures will remain in place until Monday 31 August on and around Northway Island. Our working hours will be 7am to 6pm, but some traffic measures will remain in place 24-hours. We will work Monday to Friday, however we may extend our works into the weekend if required. Temporary traffic lights will continue to be used intermittently on the A452 throughout this period.

You will still be able to travel along all routes in both directions when single lane closures are in place.

We’ll also temporarily close a short section of the B4438 from 6am on Saturday 22 August, to 6pm on Sunday 23 August. Signed diversion routes will be in place for drivers.

You can view the works notification, including a map, here.

If you have a question about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk .

To ensure that the local road network is fit for purpose when the future HS2 Interchange Station is operational, HS2 contractors are expanding and improving the existing network and creating new routes on HS2 land.

On Friday 7 August 2020, junctions 6 and 7A (northbound) and junctions 7 and 6 (southbound) of the M42 were closed to traffic. This closure enabled early works contractor, LM, to safely install a 65 metre bridge over the motorway.

We’re pleased to inform you that the closure of the M42 has been lifted and road users can now travel in both directions. Work to install the 2,750 tonne, 65 metre long bridge, which spans the width of the M42, was completed in just two days and the motorway reopened to road users earlier than planned.

A 448-wheel transporter took just one hour and 45 minutes to move the bridge span 150 metres, where it was affixed to a composite concrete deck to complete the overall bridge structure. Traditional construction methods would have required several weeks of lane closures on both carriageways, followed by additional weekend and overnight closures.

The successful installation marks the completion of the first of four bridges to be built close to the new Interchange Station. It will form part of the major remodelling of the existing road network to improve the circulation of traffic around the HS2 railway line and the new Interchange Station.

We would like to thank you for your patience during this time.

Visit the HS2 website to find out more about the M42 bridge installation .

If you have a question about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk .

The community and business funds are administered and managed by independent community charity, Groundwork UK. For more information on Groundwork and the funds, including how to apply, visit https://hs2funds.org.uk/ .You can also watch our short videos which explain how to best demonstrate that your project meets the criteria for the Community, Environment or Business Funds.

If you have any questions about the Community and Business Funds, HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk .

During 2020, we will build four new highways bridges in the area that surrounds the future HS2 Interchange Station. In the future, these bridges will connect the current road network to new routes we will create over the next two years. After we install the first of these bridges over the M42 in early August , we need to carry out works such as putting in new street lighting alongside the motorway. To conduct these safely, we need to install temporary overnight lane closures.

We are likely to put in place temporary overnight lane closures from Monday 10 August, for approximately 4 weeks, on the M42 between junctions 6 and 7.

We will not work every evening across the 4 weeks. This is because our works are dependent on the relevant consents being granted and the availability of road space, which may affect when we carry out our planned traffic measures. When we do work, varying lanes will be closed along junctions 6 & 7.

During these works commencing on the 10th of August you will still be able to travel along the M42 in both directions.

Click here to view the works notification , including a map.

If you have a question about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk .

To ensure that the local road network is fit for purpose when the future HS2 Interchange Station is operational, we are expanding and improving the existing network and creating new routes on HS2 land.

These works will be concentrated on and around Northway Island, on the B4438 and Northway. To link the new network with existing routes, we’re building four connecting highways bridges. The first of these new bridges will span the M42. To safely install the bridge deck over the M42, we will close sections of the M42 for one weekend.

The area between junctions 6 and 7A (northbound) and junctions 7 and 6 (southbound) will be closed after evening rush hour on Friday 7 August 2020, and reopen before morning rush hour on Monday 10 August 2020 . If work progresses faster than expected, we will reopen the M42 earlier if possible.

During the temporary closure, diversions will be in place and clear signage will be displayed along the route for drivers. For full details of the road closures and diversion routes, please visit the Highways England website .

Click here to view the works notification, including a map .

If you have a question about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk .

Find out what we are doing in the Interchange area in 2020 by reading our most recent HS2 Update newsletter .

So far this year, we have been carrying out works in preparation for our highways development programme. This work has included surveys and vegetation clearance along the future HS2 railway route. We’ve also completed the majority of our utility diversions on and around Northway Island, and have now started other activities such as creating new drainage and pedestrian footpaths.

From July to September 2020, we will continue to carry out works and traffic measures on Northway Island and on the B4438, A452, A446 and M42. In the coming months, we will begin to construct part of the future road network on HS2 land alongside the B4438.

We will also install the decks of our new highway bridges over the M42 and A446 by the end of the year.

We advise subscribing for news updates about works and traffic measures in the Interchange area at www.hs2insolihull.co.uk .

If you have a question about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk .

To find out more, please see the works notification .

For more information about these works please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk .

A weekend closure of the M42 is required to install the bridge . The area between junctions 6 and 7A (northbound) and junctions 7 and 6 (southbound) will be closed after evening rush hour on Friday 7 August 2020, and reopen before morning rush hour on Monday 10 August 2020 . If our work progresses faster than expected, we will reopen the M42 earlier if possible.

During this temporary closure, diversions will be in place and clear signage will be displayed along the route for drivers. Visit the Highways England website for full details of the road closure and diversion routes .

For more information about this, please go to our new page, Improving the Local Road Network in the Interchange area .

For more information about these works please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk .

Registration for our event is now open.

We will be publishing video recordings of our webinar online, so if you are not able to listen live you can still learn about our archaeological work through a dedicated playlist on the HS2 YouTube channel .

For more information about this event or any of our forthcoming events, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk .

The Three Trees Community Centre in Chelmsley Wood has been part of community life since 1970 when it provided a nursery, coffee bar, lunch clubs and the area’s first shop. It now offers activities including parent and toddler groups and martial arts and in 2018 was the site of the UK’s first community-owned chip shop.

This CEF funded project will create an additional conservatory activity area and extra community office space, while installation of an external security screen and lighting will improve the safety of the building for the many community groups that utilise this facility.

Building Healthy Futures – employment support project

The aim of Colebridge Trust is to build a cohesive society where people are enabled to achieve their full potential and where barriers to living inclusive, happy and healthy lives are challenged through the provision of creative, innovative and enterprising activities.

Funding will deliver a well-being centred employment support project to help local long-term and vulnerable unemployed residents of North Solihull aged 19 plus move into sustainable employment. A programme of activities will include personal development session to help overcome multiple and complex barriers.

Opportunities will include construction industry training, work-based placements, volunteering, motivational and employability training - all designed to empower people to become job ready. The Trust will also engage with local employers to provide job opportunities, giving them a deeper understanding of the circumstances of the people they recruit.

Community and Business Funds

Our Community and Environment Fund (CEF) and the Business and Local Economy Fund (BLEF) for Phase One are worth £40 million. They give local communities and businesses disrupted by the construction of HS2 the opportunity to receive funding of up to £1 million for projects to improve their local area or support their local economy.

The community and business funds are administered and managed by independent community charity, Groundwork UK. For more information on Groundwork and the funds, including how to apply, visit https://hs2funds.org.uk/ .You can also watch our short videos which explain how to best demonstrate that your project meets the criteria for the Community, Environment or Business Funds.

If you have any questions about the Community and Business Funds, HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk .

This is an ongoing programme of works, which commenced in March on Northway and the B4438 .

Varying single lane closures will remain in place until Friday 14 August on and around Northway Island including the B4438 and Northway. Our working hours will be 7am to 6pm, but some traffic measures will remain in place 24-hours. We will work Monday to Friday, however we may extend our works into the weekend if required. Temporary traffic lights will continue to be used intermittently on the A452 throughout this period.

You will still be able to travel along all routes in both directions.

You can view the works notification , including a map, here.

If you have a question about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk .

You can view the works notification , including a map, here.

If you have a question about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk .

We previously notified you about lane closures in the Interchange area to create new drainage and pedestrian footpaths on and around Northway Island. You can read our previous post here . This is an ongoing programme of works, which commenced in March. When our preparation works are complete, we will improve and expand sections of the existing road network in the area, and construct new routes on HS2 land, which will connect to four new highway bridges. These road improvements will ensure that when the future HS2 Interchange Station is operational, the local road network is fit for purpose.

Varying single lane closures were originally scheduled to remain in place until Friday 26 June on and around Northway Island including the B4438 and Northway. These works will now been extended to Monday 6 July . Our working hours will continue to be 7am to 6pm, but some traffic measures will remain in place 24-hours. We will work Monday to Friday, however we may extend our works into the weekend if required.

Temporary traffic lights will be used intermittently until Monday 6 July on the A452.

Throughout our works, varying lanes will be closed along the highlighted route for varying durations of time. You will still be able to travel along all routes in both directions.

This schedule is subject to change depending on site and weather conditions, and evolving measures to combat coronavirus. We’ll keep you informed of any adjustments at: www.hs2insolihull.co.uk

If you have a question about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk .

For more information about what we have uncovered so far, visit HS2 archaeology .

Throughout the year, we will be holding online archaeology events to share details of the exciting finds from across the line of route. Subscribe to this website to receive email alerts about our upcoming events, including how to register for tickets.

From Monday 6 July, we’ll begin digging trenches alongside the Kenilworth Road on HS2 land. We aim to conclude our trenching in this area on Friday 24 July, but if our archaeology team find anything of interest, our works may be extended. To safely carry out these works, from Monday 13 July to Friday 17 July, we’ll close a layby adjacent to our trenching site alongside the Kenilworth Road.

Our working hours will be 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, but our contractors may be on site up to an hour before and after those times.

We’ll dig a number of trenches per day, and explore each for a few days, before filling them back in if nothing is discovered. We’ll work in one specific area at a time in the area highlighted on the map below.

This schedule is subject to change depending on site and weather conditions, and evolving measures to combat coronavirus.

If you have a question about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk .

You can view the works notification, including a map, here A446 works

If you have a question about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk .

We will be publishing video recordings of each webinar online, so if you are not able to listen live you can still learn how to get your business 'HS2 ready' through on our HS2 YouTube channel.

You can find out more information about HS2's local business opportunities here . For more information about this event or any of our forthcoming events please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk .

If your business or community is  near to the line of route between the West Midland and London  and you want to find out more about the funding programme and local business opportunities available through HS2, please sign up to our event below. 

We will be publishing video recordings of each webinar online, so if you are not able to listen live you can still learn about the funding and business opportunities available through on our HS2 YouTube channel.

You can find out more information about the HS2 Community Funds here  and  local business opportunities here .For more information about this event or any of our forthcoming events please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on  08081 434 434  or email  hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk .

We previously notified you about ongoing lane closures near Northway Island until Monday 8 June. You can read our previous post here .

Due to unexpected site conditions, temporary traffic lights will continue to be used intermittently until Friday 12 June on the A452. Our working hours will be 7:00 am to 18:00 pm, but our contractors may be on site up to an hour before and after those times.

You will still be able to travel along this route in both directions.

The map below outlines the location of the extended temporary traffic lights on the A452.

This schedule is subject to change depending on site and weather conditions, and evolving measures to combat coronavirus.

If you have a question about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk .

We previously uploaded a notification to this site regarding the introduction of traffic management on Meriden Road on Monday 8 June to Tuesday 9 June.

This news alert is to inform you that unfortunately, these planned works have been delayed and will now start on 10 and 11 June .

The updated works notification can be downloaded or viewed Meriden Road update here.

We will update you further, should this new scheduled change.

If you have a question about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email HS2enquiries@hs2.org.uk .

We previously notified you about lane closures in the Interchange area to facilitate safe utility diversions. You can read our previous post here.

This is an ongoing programme of works, which commenced in March on Northway and B4438 . When utility diversions and other preparation works are complete, we will improve and expand sections of the existing road network in the area, and construct new routes on HS2 land, which will connect to four new highway bridges. These road improvements will ensure that when the future HS2 Interchange Station is operational, the local road network is fit for purpose.

Varying single lane closures will remain in place until Friday 26 June on and around Northway Island including the B4438 and Northway. Our working hours will be 7:00 am to 6:00 pm, but some traffic measures will remain in place 24-hours. We will work Monday to Friday, however we may extend our works into the weekend if required.

Additional single lane closures will also be installed on Tuesday 16 June only, which vary from the traffic measures taking place from Monday 8 June to Friday 26 June

You will still be able to travel along all routes in both directions.

You can view and download the works information, including a map, notification here .

If you have a question about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk .

The public is being invited to go to https://www.hs2.org.uk/tbmvoting/ and vote for their favourite name, from a shortlist of three chosen by local school children and inspired by female scientific and medical pioneers.

The names are:

The name with the most votes will be given to the first TBM, due to be launched from a site close to the M25 early next year. The enormous, 2,000 tonne, 170m long machine will be one of two that will dig the 10 mile long Chiltern tunnels.

The second machine, due to be launched a month later, will be given the second most popular name in the public vote.

The TBMs will be operated by HS2’s main works contractor, Align JV – a joint venture formed of three companies: Bouygues Travaux Publics, Sir Robert McAlpine, and VolkerFitzpatrick.

The machines are being built by Herrenknecht in Germany. Their names are being chosen now so they can be fixed to machines during their manufacture, ready for when they emerge out of the factory.

After completion the first two machines will be disassembled before beginning their long journey to England. Once they have arrived on site, each TBM will be reassembled, ready to begin their life underground.

Together the TBMs will spend around three years digging what will be the longest and deepest tunnels on the project, stretching from just inside the M25, to South Heath in Buckinghamshire.

If you have a question about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email HS2enquiries@hs2.org.uk .

We previously notified you about overnight lane closures on the M42 to safely carry out surveys from May to June. You can read our previous post here . This is an ongoing programme of works on the M42, which commenced in January, in preparation for the installation of a highways bridge over the M42 later in the year.

To continue these preparation activities, we’ll need to install temporary overnight lane closures from Monday 22 June, for approximately 6 weeks, on the M42 between junctions 6 and 7. We will be working Monday to Friday from 10pm to 6am each evening.

We may not work every evening but, when we do, varying lanes will be closed along the M42. This is because our works are dependent on the results of previous surveys and the relevant consents being granted, which may affect where and when we carry out our planned traffic measures.

You will still be able to travel along the M42 in both directions.

You can view the works notification, including a map, here notice .

If you have a question about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk .

This news alert is to let you know of work planned to take place on the A452 from 8 June. These works are:

1. Northbound lane closure on the A452, close to Middle Bickenhill Lane, during the day on Monday 8 June and Tuesday 9 June. And

2. Northbound on A452 Kenilworth Road, lane closure between the Aston Martin and Meriden Road roundabouts on 12 June

Both works include the clearance of vegetation. In order to carry out these works safely, traffic management will be introduced on the section of the road, where our contractor is working. The lane closures will take place during the day from 09:30 to 15:30 pm . Our contractor may be out on site one hour before and after these works, setting up or clearing down.

You can view a copy of both work notifications on the ‘Works in your area page' here notification . Both notification were uploaded to the site on 27 May 2020

If you have a question about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email HS2enquiries@hs2.org.uk .

You may have seen us working near Hampton-in-Arden to prepare the route of the new railway. The work along Meriden Road includes vegetation, hedgerow and tree removal ahead of construction later this year.

To ensure a safe access to roadside vegetation and tree removal we will be operating temporary traffic lights along Meriden Road between Hampton-in-Arden and the A452. These signals will be operational on 8 and 9 June between 09:30 am and 15:30 pm.

There is a Public Right of Way (PRoW) near by. This is impacted by our work and will be management by our contractor. Management of public right of way (PRoW) M230A will be in place on 8 and 9 June between 08:00 am to 18:00 pm.

Access to properties and businesses will be maintained. Marshall's will escort pedestrians safely through the works as required.

You can view the works notification on the ‘Works in your area page' here notification .

Please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email HS2enquiries@hs2.org.uk if you have any questions about HS2 or our works.

The Archaeology of HS2 – Uncovering the Curzon Street roundhouse , will now be broadcast live from 1pm – 2pm on Wednesday 3 June.  All tickets will still be valid for the session on 3 June, so if you have already registered for the session you do not need to register again .

If you have not already registered but are keen to attend, you can still register your interest in attending this online event .

Hosted by HS2's Historic Environment team, this webinar will focus on the unearthing of what is thought to be the world’s oldest railway roundhouse at our Birmingham Curzon Street construction site earlier this year. The webinar will feature  previously unseen photographs, footage and imagery  captured during archaeological excavations earlier this year. You will be able to ask the team questions via a live Q&A chat option.

We will be publishing video recordings of each webinar online, so if you are not able to listen live you can still learn about our archaeological work through a dedicated playlist on the HS2 YouTube channel.

For more information about this event or any of our forthcoming events please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on  08081 434 434  or email  hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk .

The report is available to view and download here .

A collection of all our reports to date can be found here .

If you have any questions about the report, HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk .

The Archaeology of HS2 – Uncovering the Curzon Street roundhouse , will be broadcast live from 1pm – 2pm on Thursday 28 May. 

Hosted by HS2's Historic Environment team, this webinar will focus on the unearthing of what is thought to be the world’s oldest railway roundhouse at our Birmingham Curzon Street construction site earlier this year. The webinar will feature previously unseen photographs, footage and imagery captured during archaeological excavations earlier this year. You will be able to ask the team questions via a live Q&A chat option.

Tickets for this event are now open. Register your interest in attending this online event .

We will be publishing video recordings of each webinar online, so if you are not able to listen live you can still learn about our archaeological work through a dedicated playlist on the HS2 YouTube channel.

For more information about this event or any of our forthcoming events please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on  08081 434 434  or email  hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk .

We previously notified you about lane closures in the Interchange area to facilitate safe utility diversions. You can read our previous posts here . This is an ongoing programme of works, which commenced in March on Northway and the B4438 .

Later in the year, when utility diversions are complete, we will improve and expand sections of the existing road network in the area, and construct new routes on HS2 land, which will connect to four new highway bridges. These road improvements will ensure that when the future HS2 Interchange Station is operational, the local road network is fit for purpose.

Varying single lane closures will remain in place until Monday 8 June on Northway and on the A452 and B4438. Our working hours will be 7:00 am to 6:00 pm, but some traffic measures will remain in place 24-hours. We will work Monday to Friday, however we may extend our works into the weekend if required.

Temporary traffic lights will continue to be used intermittently until Monday 8 June on the A452. Temporary traffic lights will also be installed from Wednesday 20 May to Thursday 21 May on Northway from 20:00 pm to 5:00 am.

You will still be able to travel along all routes in both directions.

You can view the works notification, including a map, here notice.

If you have a question about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk .

We will be publishing video recordings of each webinar online, so if you are not able to listen live you can still learn about our archaeological work through a dedicated playlist on the HS2 YouTube channel.

Over coming weeks we will be holding more online archaeology events to share details of exciting finds from across the line of route. We will publish details of these events, including how to register for tickets, on Friday 15 May. Subscribers to this website will receive an email alert.

For more information about this event or any of our forthcoming events please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk .

We have created a new, dedicated works in your area page , where all the notices for any current or ongoing works are shown, broken down by geographic areas within Solihull. This brings all our work notifications in the Solihull area together on one page, which makes it easier for you to navigate and easier for us to ensure all the notices are kept up-to-date.

The website landing page has changed so that our menu of pages are now shown, making it easier and quicker to find what you need. We've also added new pages and information on the following popular topics:

We will be continuing to update these pages as our construction activity in Solihull progresses.

Our community websites are intended to provide you with relevant, local information about HS2 works and developments in your area. We would like to hear your views about our community websites and ideas you may have for improving them. To let us know your views, please complete our short online survey before 11:59 on Friday 29 May. The survey contains 7 questions and should take no longer than 5 minutes to complete.

If you have any questions about the recent changes or would like some help using this website, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk .

We previously notified you about lane and road closures in the Interchange area to facilitate safe utility diversions. You can read our previous post here .

This is an ongoing programme of works, which commenced in March on Northway and the B4438. Later in the year, when utility diversions are complete, we will improve and expand sections of the existing road network in the area, and construct new routes on HS2 land, which will connect to four new highway bridges. These road improvements will ensure that when the future HS2 Interchange Station is operational, the local road network is fit for purpose.

Varying single lane closures will remain in place until Sunday 24 May on Northway Island, Northway and on the B4438 and A452. Our working hours will be 7:00 am to 6:00 pm, but traffic measures will remain in place 24-hours. We will work Monday to Friday, however we may extend our works into the weekend when necessary. Temporary traffic lights will continue to be used intermittently until Monday 25 May on the A452.

You will still be able to travel along all routes in both directions.

You can view the works notification, including a map, lane closure here.

During 2020, we will build four new highways bridges in the area that surrounds the future HS2 Interchange Station. All four bridges will be complete in early 2021. To develop the bridge that will cross the M42, we need to carry out surveys to tell us about the condition of the motorway.

Varying overnight lane closures will be carried out from Tuesday 26 May to Friday 29 May, and Monday 1 June to Friday 5 June, on the M42 between junctions 6 and 7. We will be working on site from 10:00 pm to 6:00 am each evening. As survey results are evaluated, it may not be necessary to install traffic measures each night.

You will be able to travel along the M42, in both directions, throughout our works.

You can read and view the works notification, including a map, overnight surveys here.

If you have a question about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk .

We previously notified you about lane and road closures on and around Northway Island. You can read our previous post here.

From Tuesday 14 April, we carried out single lane closures on Northway Island and the B4438 and A452 to safely facilitate utility diversions. This utilities programme will enable us to improve and expand sections of the existing road network in the area, and construct new routes on HS2 land, which will connect to four new highway bridges later in the year. These road improvements will ensure that when the future HS2 Interchange Station is operational, the local road network is fit for purpose.

Originally, our utility diversions in this area were to be carried out from Tuesday 14 April for approximately 3 weeks. However, due to evolving site conditions, these works will now be extended for approximately 1 further week. Our working hours will continue to be 6am to 8pm, and our traffic measures remain the same.

If you have a question about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk .

The new HS2 station, to be built near Solihull and the NEC in the West Midlands, has become the first railway station globally to achieve the BREEAM ‘Outstanding’ certification – a measure of sustainability for new and refurbished buildings – putting it in the top 1% of buildings in the UK for eco-friendly credentials.

This landmark award recognises the station’s eco-friendly features, including maximising natural daylight and ventilation, a station roof design which can capture and reuse rainwater, and features to enable net zero carbon emissions from day-to-day energy consumption.

BREEAM is the Building Research Establishment’s Environmental Assessment Method. It sets the standard for best practice in sustainable design and has become the de facto measure used to describe the sustainability performance of buildings. The Interim Certificate, awarded at the design stage to Interchange Station confirms an ‘Outstanding’ rating, putting it in the top 1% of buildings in the UK and the first for any railway station in the world.

The station’s design includes minimising demand for carbon through the use of natural ventilation and daylighting. Energy efficient technology will be incorporated, such as air source heat pumps and LED lighting. In addition, the station and Automated People Mover maintenance facility have over 2,000m2 of solar panels generating zero carbon electricity.

Directing rainwater from the main station building via a network of underground pipes into a rainwater harvesting tank will assist in providing part of the building’s water requirements. The estimated volume of the rainwater harvesting tank is 150m3 which will reduce the mains water demand for the station. The landscaping features sustainable drainage systems to reduce the burden on surface water drainage whilst naturally irrigating planted areas, and there will be new natural habitats created around the station, leaving a legacy of biodiversity and an enhancement of native species.

There will be 222 electric vehicle charging points in the car parking, and cycle storage for 176 bicycles with further room for expansion as demand dictates. There will also be dedicated pedestrian access into the station from the east of the railway, along with cycle access to the new station from the north, west and south-east through a mixture of dedicated routes.

Managing our carbon footprint

As part of our commitment to managing our carbon footprint, HS2 has also set ambitious targets for our supply chain to minimise the whole life carbon emissions of our assets including buildings. For stations this includes achieving net zero carbon in operation for regulated emissions and achieving a 50% reduction in whole life carbon emissions against a baseline for a typical station. The HS2 and Arup teams working on the Interchange Station have developed design solutions which achieve this ambition through the use of renewable technologies and lean design as well as achieving a holistic sustainable design in the wider landscaping and urban realm.

Useful links

Visit the Interchange station page for more information about the station design.

You can view or download our information boards and station design leaflet for more information about the station and how we've involved local communities, stakeholders and the public in the development of the design.

If you have any questions or comments, please contact HS2enquiries@hs2.org.uk or call 08081 434 434 and refer to "HS2 in Solihull".

A map of all awarded projects is available here . Some of the awards in the West Midlands include:

A series of videos and case studies about projects that have received HS2 funds can be found here.

The independent administration of these funds is managed on behalf of HS2 Ltd by the charity Groundwork who will ensure both funds remain available for applications throughout the construction of Phase One. Read the Groundwork annual review.

Community and business groups interested in applying for the fund can find out more at www.hs2funds.org.uk

Find out what we're doing in the Berkswell and Balsall Common area including some of our works by taking a look at our newsletter.

As previously announced, HS2 has taken the decision to postpone all face-to-face engagement events and meetings due to the COVID-19 outbreak. However, we remain committed to being a good neighbour to anyone affected by our work, and have continued to notify local residents about any activities in their area through alternative methods of communication. This includes direct mail, such as the latest newsletters, which we have sent in the post to local residents that are impacted by our works.

You can find out Information about HS2 construction works during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic here.

If you have a question about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk .

A copy of the works notification can be down loaded or view A452 Single Lane closure .

If you have a question about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk .

You can find further information on both gov.uk and the HS2 website .

The four contractors along the phase one route – SCS Railways, Align JV, EKFB JV and BBV JV – will start the second stage of their contracts immediately, progressing detailed design, site preparation works and placing important sub-contracts. During this period, our contractors are continuously reviewing their ability to work within Public Health England guidelines to ensure the health, safety and wellbeing of our workforce and the communities in which we are working.

We understand that some local communities are concerned about the impact of construction and we remain committed to being a good neighbour to anyone affected by our work.

You can find out Information about HS2 construction works during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic here.

If you have a question about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk .

You can view the works notification here A452 and M42 Lane closures .

If you have a question about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email HS2enquiries@hs2.org.uk .

In January 2020, we published our Interchange Area update for January to March, providing an overview of the construction works that had been happening in the area and a look ahead at the months to come. Our next update for April to June is now available.

LM will be continuing works for the construction of the roundabout on the A452 Kenilworth Road, Berkswell close to Park Lane. The third phase of works is to continue the

construction of the central reservation, clear some vegetation and put in drainage along sections of the A452.

Work will start on Tuesday 21 April until the end of May 2020.

Single lane closures on both carriageways, 24/7, except for when full road closures are in place.

From 21– 22 April there will be overnight road closure on the northbound carriageway 20:00 pm to 6:00 am. Local access for residents and or businesses to be agreed with the Traffic Officer.

You can view or down load the works notification kenilworth Road roundabout construction .

If you have a question about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email HS2enquiries@hs2.org.uk .

The works notification can be viewed here Vegetation works on Meriden road .

If you have a question about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email HS2enquiries@hs2.org.uk .

On 1 April, we notified you of road and lane closures on the A446 and A45 2 to facilitate overnight surveys, being carried out by LM (Laing O’Rourke and J. Murphy & Sons) on behalf of HS2. These closures were originally scheduled to take place from Monday 6 April to Thursday 9 April. Due to two successful evenings on site, we can confirm that these closures have now stopped. This means the A446 southbound and A452 northbound, single lane closures, from Wednesday 8 April to Thursday 9 April will no longer take place.

If you have a question about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email HS2enquiries@hs2.org.uk .

We previously notified you about temporary daytime lane closures on Northway and the B4438, which will conclude soon. You can read our previous post here . Following the completion of this phase of utilities works, we will continue these diversions on and around Northway Island. Later in the year, this will enable us to improve and expand sections of the existing road network in the area, and construct new routes on HS2 land, which will connect to four new highway bridges. These road improvements will ensure that when the future station is operational, the local road network is fit for purpose.

To carry out our utilities work safely, we’ll install lane closures from Monday 6 April to Friday 10 April, and again from Tuesday 14 April for approximately 3 weeks, on Northway Island and the B4438 and A452. Our working hours will be 6am to 8pm. We will work Monday to Friday, however from Tuesday 14 April, we may extend our works into the weekend.

During this time, we’ll also temporarily close the entrance and exit for Birmingham Business Park, off Northway Island, from Friday 10 April to Tuesday 14 April. During this closure, you will be able to access the Park via its entrance and exit off the B4438, along Progress Way. A signed diversion route will be in place for road users.

The notification of these works around Northway , including a map, can be found here.

Notice of ongoing road and lane closures on the A446 and A452

In April, we will also be carrying out works on the A446 and A452. We previously notified you about overnight road and lane closures on the A452 northbound and A446 southbound and that work concluded on Monday 20 January. You can read our previous post here . Following the completion of our access roads off the A452 and A446, and speed camera installation, we now need to carry out a series of overnight surveys in this area.

To carry out this work safely, we’ll need to install temporary overnight road and lane closures on the following roads:

Signed diversion routes will be in place for road closures along the A452 northbound and southbound. Our working hours will be 8pm to 6am, but our contractors may be on site up to an hour before and after those times to set up and close down the site.

The schedule for all of the above works is subject to change depending on site and weather conditions, and evolving measures to combat coronavirus . We’ll keep you informed of any adjustments at: www.hs2insolihull.co.uk

If you have a question about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email HS2enquiries@hs2.org.uk .

If you contact us by post there will be an extended delay in us receiving and responding due to the current circumstances.

For more detail, please see the full notification of the works on Northway and the B4438, including a map showing the location of the works here works notification .

During 2020, we will improve and expand sections of the existing road network in the area, and construct new routes on HS2 land. These road improvements will ensure that when the future HS2 Interchange Station is operational, the network is fit for purpose.

If you have a question about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email HS2enquiries@hs2.org.uk .

Please see the notification of these works on the A452 , including a map.

Our Helpdesk Team will be in regular contact with community engagement managers, and will be able to put you in touch should you need to speak to your local team.

We apologise for any inconvenience caused.

If you have a question about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email HS2enquiries@hs2.org.uk .

For more detail, please see the full notification of the works on Northway , including a map showing the location of the works.

If you have a question about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email HS2enquiries@hs2.org.uk .

We previously notified you about temporary daytime single lane closures on and around Northway Island. These works were extended until the 13th of March due to adverse weather conditions. You can read our previous post here . Due to a successful few days on site, we will be able to conclude these works at 3pm on 11 March, and will not return to Northway Island for the remainder of this week.

To get the most from our approved road space, and reduce the need for traffic measures in the future, we will use this time to progress some new works, requiring temporary, daytime single lane closures on the B4438 and Northway from 12 March until 13 March. Our working hours will be 9.30am to 3.30pm, but our contractors may be on site for up to an hour before and after those times to set up, and close down the site. These works include vegetation and tree clearance.

If you have a question about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email HS2enquiries@hs2.org.uk .

We’re inviting primary schools close to the HS2 line of route to sign up for a free safety workshop that teaches children about the importance of staying safe around construction sites. Safety is one of our core values and we’re working with Arc Theatre to deliver Playing it Safe , an interactive workshop.

Playing it Safe has visited over 5,000 pupils so far since its launch in 2018 to teach them about the dangers present on construction sites and the surrounding areas, as well as the consequences of trespassing on those sites.The workshop is available to Years 5 and 6 with audiences of between 30 and 90 pupils, with each session lasting between 60-75 minutes. Arc Theatre can deliver up to two sessions in one school per day. The workshop is completely free of charge, but limited and offered to schools closest to the route. If you would like your local school to take part in this workshop please ask them to contact Nita@arctheatre.com or call 020 8595 8509.

For more information about our safety programme or the wider HS2 project you can contact our HS2 Helpdesk team team all day, every day on:

Access to properties and businesses will be maintained throughout these works. You can view the works notification Diddington Lane here.

If you have a question about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email HS2enquiries@hs2.org.uk .

LM, the contractor carrying out early works in Warwickshire has produced a leaflet to update the public on upcoming works near public rights of way, footpaths, bridleways and cycleways. The leaflet includes information on works planned or currently underway in Balsall Common, Berkswell, Hampton in Arden and Burton Green.

If you have a question about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email HS2enquiries@hs2.org.uk .

The Berkswell & District Royal British Legion Social Club is a non-profit social club that provides for the local community and is near its 100th year of trading.

The funds will be used to repair the roof and provide a new kitchen for the social club. The current flat roof leaks and is in need of immediate attention, requiring full replacement with a new modern rubberised system to prevent further issues. In addition, the outdated kitchen will be modernised in order to cater for increased community functions including tribute nights, weddings, birthdays and funerals.

Our Community and Environment Fund (CEF) and the Business and Local Economy Fund (BLEF) for Phase One are worth £40 million. They give local communities and businesses disrupted by the construction of HS2 the opportunity to receive funding of up to £1 million for projects to improve their local area or support their local economy.

The community and business funds are administered and managed by independent community charity, Groundwork UK. For more information on Groundwork and the funds, including how to apply, visit https://hs2funds.org.uk/ .You can also watch our short videos which explain how to best demonstrate that your project meets the criteria for the Community, Environment or Business Funds.

If you have any questions about the Community and Business Funds, HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk .

We previously notified you about lane closures in and around Northway island. You can read our Previous post about these works. These works have been in place since 24 February and are due to end 4 March 2020.

Due to continuing poor weather it has been unsafe for us to employ our traffic management for the entirety of this period. As such we are looking to continue these lane closures from 9 March until 13 March, subject to further site conditions. The works outlined in the previous news alert remains the same.

If you have a question about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email HS2enquiries@hs2.org.uk .

Phase Two works notification can be viewed here A452 Kenilworth Road phase two works .

Phase 2 works are expected to finish in early May.

The working hours during the day will be 08:00 am to 18:00 pm and night time working hours are from 18:00 pm to 08:00 am. Local access for businesses and residents to be agreed with the Traffic Officer.

If you have a question about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email HS2enquiries@hs2.org.uk .