On 18th November 2021, the Department for Transport (DfT) published the Integrated Rail Plan (IRP), which sets out the government’s proposals to develop and improve the rail network in the North and Midlands. Major rail projects include HS2 Phase 2b, Northern Powerhouse Rail and Midlands Rail Hub.
The £96 billion plan aims to shorten the delivery timescales so that communities, towns and cities throughout the North and Midlands are better-connected with more frequent, reliable and greener services and faster journey times.
In summary, the plans incorporate:
The electrification and/or upgrades of 3 existing main lines including:
In addition, it has been confirmed that the government will investigate options to complete the Midlands Rail Hub and spend £100 million to look at how best to take HS2 trains to Leeds, including assessing capacity at Leeds station and starting work on the West Yorkshire mass transit system.
Read more: Firing up the Northern Powerhouse engines
Amid the proposals of the Integrated Rail Plan (IRP), the government has announced that the eastern leg of HS2 Phase 2b will not be completed. The proposed route would have connected the Midlands and Leeds; instead, HS2 trains will now on existing upgraded routes. The prime minister said the overhaul would mean faster travel up to 10 years earlier than planned.
Despite the scaling back of the scheme, phases 1, 2a, and 2b are all still expected to go ahead; the high-speed HS2 line will still travel to Manchester from London.
Having been a framework supplier since July 2013, Carter Jonas will continue to provide professional services relating to land and property. In May 2021, Carter Jonas was appointed by HS2 to deliver asset management services across its wide range of property and land assets acquired for the development of the UK high speed rail network.
The firm provides core property management and accounting services alongside additional landlord and tenant, acquisitions, disposals, planning, rating and building surveying advice.
Read more: HS2 awards Carter Jonas property management contract
Completed four months ahead of schedule, The Bean Lane bridge has fully opened to traffic. Part of a £112 million scheme, the project has been carried out by National Highways (formerly Highways England), linking Ebbsfleet, Bean and the Bluewater shopping centre.
Spanning 70m, the bridge was lifted into place in August and is expected to ease congestion around the A2. Comprising deck and beams weighing more than 900 tonnes, the structure was built in Darlington, before being transported down to Kent and craned into position.
National Highways recently awarded a contract for the provision of estate services to Carter Jonas, as well as the management of the Historic Railway Estate, offices, control centres, traffic officer outstations and maintenance depots, the non-operational real estate includes land acquired for road schemes.
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