THE Department for Transport has published a timeline for the key steps going forward now for High Speed 2.

This is as follows:

Spring 2012

· Consultation on compensation proposals and safeguarding of the phase 1 (London to West Midlands) route

· Government receives HS2 Ltd advice on phase 2 (Leeds, Manchester and Heathrow) route options Summer 2012

· Agreed compensation policy in place · Engagement programme along phase 1 (London to West Midlands) route on Environmental Impact Assessment issues

Autumn 2012

· Engagement programme along phase 2 (Leeds, Manchester and Heathrow) preferred route, to take on board local views

Spring 2013 · Consultation on Environmental Statement for phase 1 (London to West Midlands)

Late 2013

· Introduction of a hybrid bill to provide necessary powers to construct and operate phase 1 (London to West Midlands) of the railway

Early 2014

· Consultation on preferred route for phase 2 (Leeds, Manchester and Heathrow)

Late 2014

· Government’s announcement of the chosen route for phase 2 (Leeds, Manchester and Heathrow)