HS2 has appointed a trio of consultants to provide detailed structural design and environmental services on the route between Birmingham and Crewe.

It is understood this part of the HS2 project is being brought forward six years as recommended by Chairman Sir David Higgins in his 2014 report, HS2 plus.

The firms selected are:

• Ove Arup & Partners International Limited (civils and environmental services).

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• WSP Parsons Brinckerhoff (railway systems).

• Mouchel Limited (site access, land referencing and stakeholder engagement services).

The companies will help HS2 prepare a second hybrid bill allowing a new rail link to be brought as far as Crewe by 2027.

Chief Executive of HS2, Simon Kirby, said: "Bringing HS2 to Crewe six years early will dramatically boost connectivity and improve journeys for millions of people travelling between London, the Midlands and the major cities of the north.

"That's why I'm pleased to confirm that we have appointed Arup, Mouchel and WSP Parsons Brinckerhoff to help us push forward with the next stage of the detailed design and help prepare the draft legislation we will need to get Birmingham to Crewe open by 2027."

(LM/MH)