HS2 will set a new standard for rail travel in the UK. Frequent, high-capacity trains will improve connectivity between key cities, providing much-needed additional capacity for the railway network and putting Britain on track to a net zero carbon future.
Once completed, it will represent a step-change in terms of customer experience, with passengers benefitting from advanced train control systems, ticketless travel and real-time journey information.
Since 2012, WSP has supported HS2 Ltd. through the development of railway systems, civil engineering, environmental services (including cultural heritage, archaeology, ecology, landscape and acoustics), operations, maintenance, construction planning and land referencing services for Phase 1.
We have applied our station design expertise to the development of stations along the route, including Birmingham Curzon Street and Old Oak Common – the latter awarded an outstanding rated score under the internationally recognised Building Research Establishment’s Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM).
The new high-speed railway will feature 200m and 400m trains operating at speeds of up to 360kph – among the fastest in Europe. Using a series of models, we have demonstrated that the high capacity and speeds can be achieved without compromising safety, sustainability or passenger comfort.
