HS2 rail tracks will be made with British steel

Transport Secretary Chris Grayling has suggested at least 95% of the steel used in the £55.7 billion project will be sourced from the UK, which would safeguard thousands of jobs in the industry.

British Steel, bought by investment firm Greybull Capital from Tata in May 2016 with promises to invest up to £400million, produces long-products such as railtracks, and so the news ensures a future for the newly rebranded steelworks.

Mr Grayling said: “My view is that HS2 is a great engineering project for the United Kingdom. I was pleased in the first set of contracts that we announced this week of a substantial British presence.

"I've been very clear that those firms that hope to participate in this project should expect to leave a skills footprint and an expertise footprint behind in the United Kingdom. Those who fail to do so should not expect to find themselves at the front of the queue when it comes to contracting."

Tony Burke, assistant general secretary for manufacturing at Unite, commented: “The penny seems to be finally dropping with ministers that they need to support Britain's steel industry by insisting on its use in major infrastructure projects. To not do so would be a betrayal of Britain's world-class steelworkers and it's a move, which should be replicated across defence and other government projects.”

Phase 1 of HS2 is due to open in December 2026.

HS2 www.gov.uk/hs2