A new version of HS2’s northern leg has moved a step closer after Andy Burnham’s government approved a study to examine how it should be paid for, The i Paper understands.
The Prime Minister has spoken frequently of his desire to see plans for a new rail line resurrected, citing warnings from the industry that the West Coast Main Line between Birmingham and Manchester is close to reaching capacity.
Under Sir Keir Starmer, Labour’s position was that it would not look at building such a line until the 2040s at the earliest but The i Paper understands momentum has shifted under Burnham and officials are now being tasked with how to restart work as soon as possible.
Shorts
Phase Two of the high-speed rail line between Birmingham and Manchester was axed by former Tory prime minister Rishi Sunak in October 2023 due to the continual delays and escalating costs of building Phase One of the project.
