HS2 Ltd is coming to Crewe this week as part of its public consultation on the proposed route for Phase Two. This marks the last HS2 public consultation events for 2013.

HS2 took a major step forward recently with the publication of the Bill for phase one of the country’s new railway between London and Birmingham. The hybrid Bill, effectively the planning application for the scheme, will give the government the powers to construct and operate the railway.

HS2 is the biggest infrastructure investment for a generation. It will improve capacity across the rail network, shorten journey times between Britain’s major population centres, boost the economy and create approximately 400,000 jobs, with 70 per cent expected to be delivered outside London.

HS2 Ltd staff in the fields of engineering, environment, property compensation, noise mitigation and community engagement will be on hand to offer a range of advice and information to people attending the events. A special sound booth is also being set up to offer visitors an accurate recording of how the HS2 line will sound in that particular section of the proposed route.

The Phase Two consultation will run for six months and be accompanied by a series of public information events from mid-October 2013 to early January 2014, where people will be able to review local information and speak directly with HS2 Ltd staff about the proposals. Responses to the consultation will play an important part in informing the decision on a final route, station and depot options by the end of 2014. The event will take place tomorrow Friday, 13 December (12.00pm-8.00pm) and Saturday, 14 December (10.00am-5.00pm) at Crewe Alexandra Football Club, Gresty Road, Cheshire CW2 6EB