The United Kingdom is a country that is always buzzing with new construction projects and developments. From major transportation projects to towering skyscrapers, the UK has it all. In this blog post, we will take a look at 8 of the most exciting and ambitious mega projects that are currently in the works in the UK. From a new high-speed rail line connecting the north of England to a towering residential development in London, these projects are sure to leave a lasting impact on the country and its people.
With an estimated cost of billions of pounds and expected completion dates ranging from the next few years to the next decade, these projects are a true testament to the country’s commitment to progress and growth. So, let’s dive in and take a closer look at these 8 upcoming mega projects in the United Kingdom.
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Birmingham Big City Plan
One of the largest construction initiatives ever attempted in the UK is the Birmingham Big City Plan. The plan outlines a strategy for Birmingham’s development over the following 20 years with the intention of growing the city centre by 25%. The project’s goal is to promote Birmingham’s further development into a top-tier city centre and to enhance transportation connectivity. The large-scale project will incorporate sustainable development, examine how climate change will affect the future transformation of the city centre, and generate over 50,000 job opportunities to enhance public spaces and infuse Birmingham with more culture.
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The Big City Plan was launched in 2008 with an extensive public consultation stage and has seen several developments over the years. The plan has completed developments such as Brindley Place, a new urban neighbourhood, the completion of the Snowhill commercial building, and the opening of the Grand Central Shopping Center. The plan is currently in phase 2, which started in 2019 and is due to be finished in 2023.
It is building growth on new spaces for companies, bringing in new opportunities, and creating brand new innovative spaces. The plan is also looking at the longer term opportunities, such as the completion of HS2 and opportunities to build upon the wider areas of the city. The next step for the Big City Plan is the completion of several projects, including Birmingham Cruzon, New Garden Square, and Peddimore.
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Heathrow Airport Expansion Plan
The UK’s airports are a pillar of commerce and essential for connectivity, trade, and people movement. However, predictions show that by 2040, airport capacity in the UK’s south-east region would have been achieved. An impartial Airports Commission was tasked with making recommendations in order to remedy this problem. The UK Government declared in October 2016 that it agreed with the Airports Commission’s recommendation for a new runway at Heathrow Airport.
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To ensure that an expansion programme could be successfully delivered, Heathrow Airport appointed Turner & Townsend as one of four Programme Client Partners to provide strategic support for Heathrow’s airport expansion. The plans for expansion at the airport include a new, full-length runway to the north-west of the airport and several new facilities both on and off the airfield.
This expansion would create tens of thousands of jobs and billions in economic benefits to the UK. The proposal also includes a new terminal building, the creation of new public transport interchange points, and consolidation of parking facilities, as well as significant community compensation schemes and impact mitigation measures. Under these plans, capacity for an additional 260,000 flights per year would be created, with the first flights expected to take off from the new runway in 2025 and targeted for up to 10,000 new apprenticeships.
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High Speed 2
High Speed 2 (HS2) is a high-speed railway line currently under construction in England, with completion expected between 2029 and 2033. The line will run from London to Manchester, with branches to Birmingham and the East Midlands. HS2 will be Britain’s second purpose-built high-speed line, with the first being High Speed 1, which connects London to the Channel Tunnel. The line will terminate at London’s Euston station, and also serve Birmingham Curzon Street and Manchester Piccadilly stations, as well as Old Oak Common, Birmingham Interchange, East Midlands Parkway, Crewe, and Manchester Airport.
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The trains will be capable of operating at 400 km/h, and will run at a maximum speed of 360 km/h. The project is divided into three phases, with construction currently underway for phase 1. The project has faced criticism for its cost and environmental impact, but supporters argue that it will increase capacity and reliability for passenger travel.
The original design for HS2 has been scaled back since it was first announced in 2013, with links to HS1 and Heathrow dropped and substantial parts of phase 2b dropped as of November 2021. The construction costs of HS2 were estimated to be between £30.9 billion and £36 billion in 2010 and £56.6 billion in 2015, with a 2019 review estimating costs up to £87 billion.
London Crossrail
Crossrail, also known as the Elizabeth line, is a railway construction project in central London that aims to provide a high-frequency hybrid commuter rail and rapid transit system. The project will connect the Great Western Main Line and the Great Eastern Main Line, providing a route that goes from west to east London. The project was approved in 2007 and construction began in 2009, with the central section and connections to existing lines becoming part of the route. It was officially opened by Queen Elizabeth II in May 2022.
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The main component of the project is the development of a new underground train line that connects Paddington Station with a junction close to Whitechapel. From there, it divides into a branch to southeast London’s Abbey Wood and a branch to Stratford, where it connects to the Great Eastern Main Line. In May 2023, the route will be completely operational, with nine-carriage Class 345 trains travelling up to 24 times per hour in each direction. The project is anticipated to cost a total of £18.8 billion and be finished by May 2023.
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Upcoming Mega Projects in United Kingdom : Hinkley Point C
Hinkley Point C nuclear power station (HPC) is a large-scale construction project located in Somerset, England. The project, which was approved in 2016, aims to provide a reliable source of low-carbon energy for the UK. The power station is being built by EDF Energy and China General Nuclear Power Group (CGN) and will have a capacity of 3,200 MWe.
The project, which began in March 2017, has been subject to several delays and budget overruns. As of May 2022, the project is two years behind schedule and the expected cost has risen to £25-26 billion, 50% higher than the original budget from 2016. Despite the challenges, the power station is expected to be commissioned in June 2027 and will have a projected lifetime of 60 years. The HPC will play an important role in helping the UK achieve its goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
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London Resort
The London Resort is a proposed theme park and resort located in Swanscombe, Kent. The project was first announced in 2012 and has faced numerous delays and setbacks. The application for planning permission is currently under examination and a decision will be made by the Secretary of State. The cost of the project is still to be determined as the application has been withdrawn in March 2022. The company has announced that it will resubmit an application in 2023.
The London Resort was originally known as the London Paramount Entertainment Resort and was set to involve Paramount Pictures. However, in 2017, the company pulled out of the project and the name was shortened to just London Resort. Despite this, the company acquired the necessary licenses to have rides based on Paramount Pictures’ films. The project is expected to be completed by 2027.
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Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR) project
The Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR) project is a proposed major rail program aimed at enhancing the economic potential of the North of England. The program, which was first proposed in 2014, aims to transform rail services between major towns and cities, making it the region’s single biggest transport investment since the Industrial Revolution.
The original NPR scheme would have seen a new high-speed rail line from Liverpool to Warrington connecting to the HS2 tunnel and continuing on to Manchester Piccadilly station, with a stop in Bradford, and then on to Leeds. The goal was to improve journey times and frequency between major northern cities and create more capacity for local service on lines that express services would have been moved out from.
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However, in 2021, the Johnson government significantly scaled back the NPR program in the Integrated Rail Plan for the North and Midlands (IRP). Instead of building a dedicated high-speed rail line to Leeds via Bradford, the scaled-back scheme will only provide dedicated high-speed rail track from Manchester as far as Marsden, West Yorkshire, where the line will join the upgraded TransPennine line to Leeds via Huddersfield. The cost of the project is expected to be around $8 Bn , and the expected completion date is not yet confirmed.
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Upcoming Mega Projects in United Kingdom: One Nine Elms
One Nine Elms is a mixed-use skyscraper currently under construction in London’s Nine Elms neighborhood. The project, originally developed by Chinese firm Wanda One, was sold to another Chinese firm, R&F Properties, in 2018. The building is being designed by Kohn Pedersen Fox Architects, and will replace two 1970s towers on the site. The development will include 494 residential apartments and a luxury Park Hyatt hotel. Anticipated to be completed in 2023, One Nine Elms will become one of the tallest residential buildings in London and the UK. The cost of the project is not specified in the given information.