where will hs2 stop
HS2, in its scaled‑back form as of 2025–26, is planned to run between central London and the West Midlands, with onward use of existing classic rail lines further north.
Quick Scoop: where will HS2 stop?
Core HS2 route (new high‑speed line)
Based on the post‑cancellation plans (Phase 1 only), the new HS2 high‑speed track is scheduled to serve:
- London Euston – planned ultimate London terminus once the Euston HS2 station is funded and completed.
- Old Oak Common (London) – major interchange in west London, expected to be the initial London HS2 terminus before Euston fully opens, linking HS2 with Elizabeth line and Great Western services.
- Birmingham Interchange – near Solihull / NEC / Birmingham Airport, a parkway‑style station connecting to local and regional transport.
- Birmingham Curzon Street – dedicated high‑speed terminus in Birmingham city centre and the main northern end of the newly built line.
North of Birmingham, the new high‑speed track is set to connect back to the existing West Coast Main Line at Handsacre (Staffordshire) , rather than continuing on dedicated HS2 lines to Manchester or Leeds as originally proposed.
In short: for the built high‑speed section, you’re looking at Euston / Old Oak Common → Birmingham Interchange → Birmingham Curzon Street , plus a junction to the classic network near Handsacre.
Beyond the HS2 tracks (via existing lines)
HS2‑branded or HS2‑compatible trains are expected to continue beyond the ends of the high‑speed line using the traditional network. The exact stopping patterns will depend on future timetables, but official and planning documents have highlighted:
- Services from London (Euston) to cities such as Liverpool, Manchester, and Glasgow by running high‑speed on HS2 as far as Handsacre, then switching to the West Coast Main Line.
- Example journey time targets mentioned include approx. 49 minutes London–Birmingham and under 2 hours London–Liverpool , using HS2 plus existing track.
These onward destinations are not on new HS2 track, but they are part of the network HS2 is intended to benefit.
Key stations at a glance (current plan)
Since you asked “where will HS2 stop,” here’s a compact view of the main named points that appear in current plans and recent updates:
| Location | Role on HS2 | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| London Euston | Planned main London terminus | Final destination for HS2 tunnels from Old Oak Common; station design and funding still under review. | [7][1][9][3]
| Old Oak Common (London) | Interchange / interim terminus | Connects to Elizabeth line and Great Western; tunnelling westwards and eastwards towards Euston. | [1][7][9][3]
| Birmingham Interchange | Parkway‑style HS2 station | Near NEC and airport, linked by people‑mover and local transport. | [10][3]
| Birmingham Curzon Street | West Midlands HS2 terminus | Dedicated high‑speed terminus in city centre; often described as the “final destination” from London. | [9][1][5][10][3]
| Handsacre Junction (Staffordshire) | Junction to classic network | Where HS2 joins the West Coast Main Line for trains to places like Liverpool and Glasgow. | [10][3]
Why the answer keeps changing
- Original HS2 plans had a Y‑shaped network reaching Manchester and Leeds on all‑new track, with more new stations in the North and Midlands.
- Cost overruns and political changes led to Phase 2 north of the West Midlands being cancelled , leaving a shorter high‑speed core between London and Birmingham plus the Handsacre link.
- Even within London, the exact scope and timing of the Euston HS2 station are still being reviewed, so Old Oak Common is expected to be the first London hub HS2 actually uses.
Because of this, when people ask “where will HS2 stop?” they may see older maps still showing now‑cancelled northern branches.
Forum‑style angle and “latest news” feel
On UK transport forums and in comment sections, you’ll often see three viewpoints emerging:
- “Proper HS2 ends at Curzon Street” – This camp sees Birmingham Curzon Street as the true end of the purpose‑built high‑speed line, with everything beyond just being regular network running.
- “Euston is the real ‘final destination’” – Especially after coverage of the new tunnel boring machines “Karen” and “Madeleine” that are set to dig the last few miles into Euston, many argue Euston is where HS2 really begins and ends.
- “Handsacre is the northern edge (for now)” – More technical discussions focus on Handsacre as the point where HS2 effectively stops being new high‑speed line and becomes the West Coast Main Line.
In 2024–25 news, most “latest updates” focus on:
- Tunnel breakthroughs between Old Oak Common and Birmingham , a major milestone for the central spine of the line.
- Assembly of TBMs for the Old Oak Common → Euston tunnels and ongoing debate about how big and expensive the Euston HS2 terminus should be.
- Property and investment stories around Curzon Street , reflecting its role as a final stop for London–Birmingham high‑speed services.
So, if you’re planning a future journey, think of HS2 as a fast spine between London (Euston/Old Oak Common) and Birmingham (Interchange/Curzon Street) , with HS2‑style trains extending over existing lines to other cities beyond that.
TL;DR: HS2’s new high‑speed line will stop at Euston, Old Oak Common, Birmingham Interchange, and Birmingham Curzon Street , then connect to the existing network via Handsacre for trains on to cities like Liverpool, Manchester, and Glasgow.
Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.