HS2: What does it mean for me?
Boris Johnson has approved the plan for HS2 today - which could see a trip from London to Birmingham lasting 45 minutes.
So, how will this affect you? We spoke to people across the Midlands today.
The Commuter
HS2 plan to have three locations across the Midlands for commuters to access the high speed rail network.
Two will be located in the west, at Birmingham Curzon Street Station and Birmingham Interchange Station. The third will be at the East Midlands Hub Station.
HS2 say that there will be less over-crowding for commuters, even for people who do not use trains.
They say that HS2 will free up space on existing railway lines, allowing local trains to run more frequently during rush hour, as well as taking 'hundreds of thousands' of lorries off the road to reduce traffic congestion.
Train journeys across the UK are predicted to be significantly faster and HS2 say that it will give people more choice about where they live and work.
However this seems like a long way to go for some passengers who have been expressing their frustrations with current rail services, saying that "they could be spending money on the roads and on the existing railways, not spending all that money on HS2".
The Wildlife Lover
Phase 2 of HS2 is due to impact huge parts of surrounding woodland in Seller's Wood in Nottingham and HS2 has already taken over Birmingham's Park Hall Nature Reserve, as they prepare for construction work to begin.
The Wildlife Trust in Birmingham estimates that they will lose 90% of ancient woodland due to the project and are worried that pollution running into the River Tame.
Despite this HS2 say that they're going to create a 'green corridor' alongside the high speed rail, which will be home to wildlife and integrate HS2 into the landscape.
They also say that the new project will significantly reduce C02 emissions per passenger. Currently it is estimated that each passenger emits 22 grams of C02 using intercity trains, and this is said to be reduced to 2.9 grams by 2041 as a result of HS2.
However environmentalists have voiced their concerns about the impact on habitats, as it can take centuries or even longer for new habitats to evolve.
The Businessperson
There is a mixed reaction amongst business owners in the East Midlands as some are excited about the prospect of connecting the region to the rest of the country, whilst others fear that phase 2 may be neglected due to cost implications.
ITV Central interviewed Brent Poland, who is part of the Stop HS2 campaign, who said that he was "worried about being second class in the east".
However, the leader of Nottinghamshire County Council, Cllr Kay Cutts, says that she will "not settle for second best" and feels that "this is the first time i have felt confident that the East Midlands is going to be invested in seriously by any government.
After receiving phase one parliamentary approval, there is more certainty for businesses in the West Midlands who've already invested in the region.
The West Midlands Combined Authority say that HS2 will now trigger 100,000 new jobs in the region, along with tens of thousands of new homes in the area and it will bring £14 billion pounds into the economy.
Paul Faulkner from the Greater Chamber of Commerce says that "the confidence it gives investors who have been sinking their money into the West Midlands is phenomenal."
Douglas Oakervee on his review into HS2, which was published yesterday (11 February), says "it's been hard for this review to assess the likely size of impacts on regional economic growth that will result in HS2 and that further work should be done."
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