So how was 2019 for you? For High Speed 2 it was a mixed picture. Letting contracts worth hundreds of billions for stations and new railway proved less than straightforward and the political fallout from Brexit meant the long-awaited ‘Notice to Proceed’ on HS2 construction failed to materialise ahead of the 12 December general election.
On the other hand, a colossal amount was achieved behind the scenes. Anyone familiar with Euston or the surrounding London neighbourhood will be aware how much space is being cleared to allow the station to expand. Levelling a central London site on this scale is unusual. High Speed 2 or not, a major development on a historic scale will be built here.
To a lesser extent HS2 enabling works proceeded across the Phase One route. Political turmoil had remarkably little effect on the ground, with the early works contractors continuing their unglamorous jobs, usually away from the headlines.
While, at the start of 2020, it does not feel as if an HS2 opening is much nearer than it was at the start of 2019, the activity of the year has made the scheme – to borrow a favourite phrase of Boris Johnson – increasingly oven-ready. And, as our summary below shows, love it or loathe i…
