The first rail freight delivery of aggregate arrive at HS2’s Washwood Heath site in Birmingham, signalling the start of HS2’s major programme to take up to 1.5 million lorries off the roads to cut carbon emissions.

HS2 today revealed the design for the Amersham vent shaft headhouse – one of five structures that will be built to provide ventilation and emergency access to the high-speed rail line’s 10 mile-long Chiltern tunnel.

The move comes after “wave of applications to Part One beat all expectations”.

Wernick Buildings, based in Port Talbot, South Wales, has recently completed its first accommodation instalment supporting the construction of HS2, Britain’s new high-speed, low carbon railway.

As part of its innovation programme, HS2 Ltd has signed a ground-breaking agreement with leading railway research centres in UK universities that will enable it to access world-leading research capabilities, knowledge and facilities.

HS2 the first images and publicly-chosen names of the first two completed giant Tunnel Boring Machines (TBMs) that will excavate the twin-bore Chiltern tunnel on the first phase of the UK’s new low carbon, high speed railway between London and the West Midlands.

HS2 Ltd today began the search for specialist contractors to deliver the high voltage power supply systems that will transfer electricity to the UK's new high speed rail link and enable millions of people to enjoy low carbon journeys between London, Birmingham and the north of England.

Innovative project aims for net zero emissions in operation, paving the way for green infrastructure of the future. Carbon reduction equivalent to removing emissions from 10,000 houses or 500 million km of car travel.

Lydney business Mabey Bridge is already benefiting from its contract with HS2 – Britain’s largest infrastructure project – to supply modular bridges to support construction of the UK’s new high speed, low carbon railway.

Local people in Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Northamptonshire and Warwickshire who are out of work, or looking for a new career opportunity, are encouraged to register for a free construction training course linked to opportunities to work on HS2, Britain’s new low carbon railway.