LONDON (UK) – Britain has given companies the green light to start building a new high-speed rail line. The work for the HS2 rail project could proceed in line with safety guidelines despite the national lockdown put in place due to the coronavirus.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced that HS2 connecting London to northern England would go ahead.
The government issued a formal notification to those companies tasked with the HS2 construction, to start work, providing them and suppliers business when the pandemic has brought the economy to grind to a halt.
“This next step provides thousands of construction workers and businesses across the country with certainty at a time when they need it, and means that work can truly begin.”
– Andrew Stephenson, HS2 Minister
Companies involved in the HS2 contract include Skanska Construction UK, Costain, Sir Robert McAlpine, Eiffage Genie Civil, Kier, Balfour Beatty and VINCI.
Companies are expected to follow Public Health England’s guidance on social distancing while at construction sites, according to the Department for Transport statement.
Preparatory work for HS2 has begun like clearing land and demolishing buildings. So far, however, no tracks have been laid.
Johnson defied critics with his approval of HS2. Critics believed that the HS2 project was overbudget and unnecessary.
HS2, Johnson said, would slash journey times adding capacity to Britain’s rail network to help with his plan to “level up” the country by investing in transport links outside London.
(Photos syndicated via Reuters)
This story has been edited by BH staff and is published from a syndicated field.