HS2 Phase 2A secures Royal Assent

The High Speed Rail (West Midlands to Crewe) Bill received Royal Assent on 11 February 2021. The Bill (now Act) authorises the construction of ‘Phase 2A’ of the HS2 project, connecting the northern end of Phase 1 to Crewe. The Bill has had an eventful passage through Parliament, having been revived on two occasions,  following the prorogation in 2019 and subsequent general election, with petition hearings before the House of Lords Select Committee having to be adjourned on the second day, as a result of the pandemic.  The hearings resumed via Zoom in July 2020; moved to ‘hybrid’ hearings in September 2020; and concluded, virtually, on 23 September 2020. Tim Mould QC and Jacqueline Lean represented the Secretary of State for Transport.