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| Birmingham named as new HS2 headquarters | Birmingham named as new HS2 headquarters |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| The headquarters for construction of the High Speed 2 (HS2) rail line is to be based in Birmingham. | The headquarters for construction of the High Speed 2 (HS2) rail line is to be based in Birmingham. |
| HS2 Ltd, the company responsible for the project, said its new premises would house up to 1,500 staff. | HS2 Ltd, the company responsible for the project, said its new premises would house up to 1,500 staff. |
| It is expected to include engineers and designers responsible for track, signalling and station plans, as well as support staff. | It is expected to include engineers and designers responsible for track, signalling and station plans, as well as support staff. |
| While some jobs would move from London, the company said, many would be new roles. | While some jobs would move from London, the company said, many would be new roles. |
| Chairman David Higgins said he expected the first staff to move into the new premises in April or May 2015. | |
| He said the fact HS2 had chosen to base its construction HQ in Birmingham rather than London showed the firm's "long term commitment" to the city. | |
| Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin said it would bring skilled job opportunities to the area. | |
| The new headquarters is expected to open in 2015. | The new headquarters is expected to open in 2015. |
| Leader of Birmingham City Council, Sir Albert Bore, said: "Since the industrial revolution, Birmingham has been a national capital for engineering, so it is only natural that the HS2 construction HQ be based in Birmingham." | Leader of Birmingham City Council, Sir Albert Bore, said: "Since the industrial revolution, Birmingham has been a national capital for engineering, so it is only natural that the HS2 construction HQ be based in Birmingham." |
| The local authority has announced it will create a company to lead the redevelopment around Curzon Street station, which will become the Birmingham hub for the first phase of HS2. | The local authority has announced it will create a company to lead the redevelopment around Curzon Street station, which will become the Birmingham hub for the first phase of HS2. |
| In February, the council first announced plans to regenerate the area by building offices, a hotel and about 2,000 homes to both improve the city's "welcome" to HS2 travellers and stimulate the local economy. | In February, the council first announced plans to regenerate the area by building offices, a hotel and about 2,000 homes to both improve the city's "welcome" to HS2 travellers and stimulate the local economy. |
| Mr Mcloughlin said he hoped Curzon Street would repeat the "success" of London's King's Cross and St Pancras stations. | |
| "If you think what those areas were like 20 years ago and what they're like today, I want to see that emulated in Birmingham," he said. | |
| The Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) said it would be investing £30m to support plans for the 141 hectare site. | The Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) said it would be investing £30m to support plans for the 141 hectare site. |
| LEP chairman Andy Street, who is also the head of John Lewis, said the announcement was a sign the project was moving "away from the 'if and when'" and towards action. | |
| "I'm absolutely convinced businesses across the West Midlands share the view this is good for the region," he said. | |
| "It's not just about a station for Birmingham." | |
| Earlier this month, the LEP was awarded more than £350m over three years through the government's Growth Deal. | Earlier this month, the LEP was awarded more than £350m over three years through the government's Growth Deal. |
| Much of the investment was for HS2 related projects, such as extending the Metro tram line to Curzon Street. | Much of the investment was for HS2 related projects, such as extending the Metro tram line to Curzon Street. |
| Funding was also earmarked for a new construction training centre in Dudley, as well as facilities at Birmingham's South and City College, to help equip local people for jobs connected with the building of HS2. | Funding was also earmarked for a new construction training centre in Dudley, as well as facilities at Birmingham's South and City College, to help equip local people for jobs connected with the building of HS2. |