How to Build...

How to Build… a Railway is a twelve-part podcast series exploring the story behind the construction of the UK’s new high speed rail line.

This episode explores everything archaeology. HS2’s archaeology programme is a once-in-a-generation opportunity that will reveal over 10,000 years of British history.

As Europe’s biggest dig, HS2’s archaeology programme has provided fascinating insight and discoveries into the lives of the people and communities who made modern Britain.

Featuring

Helen Wass, HS2 Head of Historic Environment

Mike Court, HS2 Lead of Historic Environment

Dr Rachel Wood, Former Archaeological Manager on HS2

Mike explains the Historic Environmental Research Delivery Strategy (HERDS) plan which developed the focus of the field work and asking the big landscape questions.

Rachel describes the 20 sites she was responsible for including St Mary’s Church and the whole host incredible discoveries.

Helen looks at the future of the sites with the post excavation process and how the focus will shift to a wider picture. Why the discoveries were there? What were the Romans doing? How has the landscape changed through to the Victorian time?

How to Build… a Railway is a twelve-part podcast series exploring the story behind the construction of the UK’s new high speed rail line.
This episode focusses on why HS2 is needed, the historical context of our country’s railways, project progress so far and upcoming goals.

Featuring

Bob Gwynne, National Railway Museum Associate Curator.

Andrew McNaughton, Former HS2 Chief Engineer.

Andy Street, West Midlands Mayor.

Mark Thurston, HS2 Chief Executive.

Starting back in the 1830’s, Bob sets the scene of the original Victorian Railway and its importance both for the time as well as now. Andrew talks through the early days of the project with designing the first stage back in 2009. Andy describes what HS2 will do for the region of Birmingham as well as the rest of the country and Mark gives his thoughts on not just the future of the project, but the space in which those who work on HS2 have created.