HS2 recently announced that over 20,000 people are now working on the high-speed rail project , one year on from the Prime Minister announcing the formal start of construction on Phase One from London to the West Midlands . Here are selected highlights from the first year :

OCT

2020

Two huge modular bridges were moved into place at our Interchange station site in Solihull . One 2,750-tonne , 65-metre bridge structure , was installed in just two days . A second , 45 metre , 914 tonne modular bridge over the A446 in Solihull , was moved into place in only 45 minutes .

MAR

2021

Work began on the UK ’ s longest railway bridge , with an expert team of ground engineers sinking the first of almost 300 piles that will form the foundations for the Colne Valley Viaduct .

FEB

2021

Parliament gave approval to extend the route north to Crewe .

NOV

2020

HS2 invited businesses to tender for £ 12bn of supply chain contracts to be let over the next 18 months .

JAN

2021

Permanent construction of the huge Victoria Road Crossover Box in West London started .

DEC

2020

HS2 outlined progress at the Euston station site .

12 October 2021