High Speed Rail (London–West Midlands) Act 2017

On 25 November 2013 the Government published the High Speed Rail (London-West Midlands) Bill. The 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.

Key areas

• authorisation of necessary works to construct and maintain phase 1 of the HS2 line (powers to carry out these works are conferred on a nominated undertaker (HS2 Ltd.))
• power to acquire land (and limited rights in land) necessary for the works to be carried out
• deeming of planning permission to be granted for the works
• deregulation of works on HS2 (the disapplication of certain powers contained in other legislation)
• railways matters, essentially the application of existing legislation to HS2 and the future regulatory regime for the line
• facilitating works on conventional lines to integrate them with HS2.

This is a Hybrid Bill, meaning that it has elements of both a Public and a Private Bill. The Bill was given a Second Reading, therefore those directly and specially affected by the construction of the route were able to petition in front of a specially-convened Select Committee on the Bill.

Background information: Hybrid Bills

Further information on how hybrid bills are dealt with in Parliament is available on the Parliament website.

• About Parliament: Hybrid Bills