tonnes of material already moved

hard with our joint venture companies, Network Rail, freight operators and aggregate suppliers to make deliveries by rail where possible.

“In addition to cutting carbon emissions, HS2’s ‘Materials by Rail’ strategy is creating jobs and skills opportunities right across the country, along with minimising impacts to communities along the line of route.”

HS2 has been working with Network Rail for a number of years to ensure that capacity on the rail network is available for HS2’s contractors to deliver their requirements by rail rather than road.

Chris Bennett-Poynter, Regional Freight Manager – North West and Central Region at Network Rail said: “We’re delighted to mark this significant milestone for HS2’s ‘Materials by Rail’ programme which is taking polluting lorries off our congested roads to transport aggregate across the country in a fast, reliable and environmentally friendly way.

“Reducing carbon emissions is a key priority for Network Rail and we will continue to work closely with HS2 and our industry partners to maximise further transportation of construction materials by rail.”

The event was attended by MP for High Peak Robert Largan, HS2 Ltd’s Conventional Rail Interface Manager Andrew Graham, Managing Director – Midlands Region at Tarmac Rob Doody, Regional Freight Manager – North West and Central Region at Network Rail Chris Bennett-Poynter.

Peak said: "This is a fantastic milestone for HS2 and it was great to celebrate it with the many companies involved in delivering it. HS2 is playing an important role right now for many businesses in our region and right across the country.

"Once operating, it will provide the much-needed extra capacity for busy passenger journeys in local areas, as well as freeing up more space for freight, taking lorries off the roads."

David Speight, Delivery Director for Main Works Civils Phase One, HS2 Ltd said: “Our ‘Materials by Rail’ strategy plays a vital role in our objective to cut carbon right across the project, and we’re working

Representatives from transport solutions companies also attended – Fishbone, Rail Stone Solutions (RSS), Legge infrastructure and Mendip Rail, along with the four freight operators – DB Cargo UK, DC Rail (part of the Cappagh Group of Companies), Freightliner and GB Railfreight (GBRf), and aggregate suppliers – Tarmac, Aggregate Industries, CEMEX UK and Hanson UK.

One of the Class 66 locomotives at the event, number 66796, was rebranded by GB Railfreight with an HS2 design in 2021 to mark the opening of the project’s London logistics hub.

The HS2 locomotive was named ‘The Green Progressor’ by 17-year-old HS2 enthusiast, Jermaine from Leeds, who was also present at the milestone event.