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The government is expected to announce plans to build a new rail link between Birmingham and Manchester, the BBC has reported today.
The proposal would revive a connection that was previously part of the HS2 high-speed rail project, but was scrapped under Rishi Sunak’s government as part of a major scaling back of the scheme.
New Manchester – Birmingham rail line
The original plans for Northern Powerhouse Rail
Ministers are also set to confirm new and upgraded rail links across the North of England on Wednesday, under the long-promised Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR) programme.
However, little detail is expected to be provided about the Birmingham-to-Manchester route. The line would only be built after Northern Powerhouse Rail is completed – meaning construction may not begin for decades.
Plans to extend high-speed rail across the North were first outlined in 2014 by then-Chancellor George Osborne. A new line between Liverpool and Manchester has long been seen as a central part of the NPR project, aimed at cutting journey times between northern cities and boosting economic growth outside London.
What happened to the Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR) programme?
Announcements on the scheme were repeatedly delayed last year amid concerns over rising costs. Sources said an extended review of the project has been carried out in an effort to avoid the problems that have plagued HS2.
HS2 has been hit by significant delays and cost overruns and is now estimated to be tens of billions of pounds over budget and around a decade behind schedule. Reports suggest the reduced line between Birmingham and London alone could cost £81bn.
Why did HS2 fail?
Photo: Avanti West Coast
Once inflation is taken into account, it has been reported that total spending could exceed £100bn, despite only 135 miles of railway being built.
HS2 Ltd, the government-owned company delivering the project, has acknowledged it failed to keep costs under control, admitting delivery fell short of what it described as “unrealistic early expectations”.
You can find out more about Northern Powerhouse Rail by clicking here
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