The High Speed Rail (London - West Midlands) Bill confers the powers required to construct phase 1 of the proposed HS2 scheme from London Euston to Birmingham Curzon Street with intermediate stations in West London (Old Oak Common) and at Birmingham Airport. It provides for a connection to the existing rail link to the Channel Tunnel (HS1) but not to Heathrow Airport. The bill was introduced to the House of Commons on 25th November 2013.
A number of Conservative MPs are expected to vote against the project – some concerned primarily about the project cost, others about a negative impact of construction upon their constituency. However, with the Labour opposition now formally supporting the project, the bill is expected to move unimpeded onto the committee stage for more detailed consideration.
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