HS2: the latest

Small businesses in Birmingham don't back HS2 and believe it won't boost business, a new study reveals.

According to the 2,000 small businesses who took part in the survey conducted by freelance.co.uk, 66% believe the high-speed rail link won't help firms in Birmingham.

• Business
• HS2
• Birmingham

There is fresh controversy tonight over plans for a high speed rail link between Birmingham and London.

New figures have revealed that two-thirds of people who have applied for compensation for "exceptional hardship" have had their claims rejected.

The HS2 project has led to many people failing to sell their homes. One man facing property blight, says he is being treated for depression and his wife is having to leave her job because of the strain they are under. Our transport correspondent Keth Wilkinson reports.

• Business
• HS2
• Birmingham

A tunnel on the proposed route of HS2 could be extended to enable plans for a major development to go ahead near to East Midlands Airport, Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin announced today.

Concerns were raised by Leicestershire County Council and MP for North West Leicestershire, Andrew Bridgen, that the proposed line could affect plans for a Strategic Rail Freight Interchange depot next to the airport.

The initial preferred route would have seen the new rail line cross the site of the proposed interchange, which has the potential to create 7,000 jobs in the region.

• Business
• HS2
• Birmingham

Three quarters of families who live near the Government's planned high speed rail link and applied for hardship compensation have been rejected, figures showed.

The Government was criticised by residents and a pressure group opposing the project for offering help "to virtually nobody".

Of 455 applications, 299 have been refused, 113 accepted, and the rest are being considered.

• UK
• HS2
• Birmingham

Plans for a high speed rail link between London and the Midlands have taken a major step forward today. Two Parliamentary bills to press ahead with the controversial project were included in the Queen's Speech.

Business leaders have welcomed the move - saying it should now go ahead as quickly as possible. But opponents along the route say they will not give up their fight to stop it. Keith Wilkinson reports.

• UK
• HS2
• Birmingham

"Subsequently, if the Government decides to proceed with HS2 through this area, we will conduct extensive environmental assessments of the effect of the line during building and operation - and how these could be reduced or avoided - as is happening now on Phase 1 of the route between the West Midlands and London.

And if this route is chosen HS2 Ltd will undertake design work for landscaping and earthworks as the project proceeds."

• Business
• HS2
• Birmingham

The initial preferred route for the second phase of HS2 would pass close to Stockwell Heath. However, no decisions have been taken on a final route and we will be undertaking a full public consultation along the line of route later this year to gather local people's views.

• Business
• HS2
• Birmingham

Protesters in the small hamlet of Stockwell Heath in Staffordshire have raised a banner to the height of a proposed embankment near their homes.

• UK
• HS2
• Staffordshire

People who live in Stockwell Heath in Staffordshire are hiring a cherry picker to demonstrate how high the embankment for the planned HS2 high speed rail line will be if it is built.

Residents are also concerned about the effect importing the building materials will have on wildlife.

• UK
• Staffordshire
• Stockwell Heath

Most people back the high speed line between London and the Midlands - but only one in ten think it will be completed on time.

Research out today suggests only 20 per cent of people are against the £33 million HS2 project.

• UK
• HS2
• Birmingham