Ministers are considering a “HS2 light” railway line connecting Birmingham and Manchester as a cost-effective solution to address the capacity crunch in the north. The scaled-back HS2 ‘Phase 2’ track is proposed to link Birmingham Curzon Street and Crewe, with trains running at approximately 185mph, faster than the West Coast Main Line (WCML) route but slower than HS2’s 225mph speeds.
Last October, plans to extend the high-speed line beyond Birmingham were cancelled by Rishi Sunak in a bid to reduce costs by £36bn. Supporters of the “HS2 light” line believe it could be delivered for up to 40% cheaper than the original HS2 scheme, with proposals from Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham and West Midlands mayor Richard Parker gaining traction.
Andy Burnham’s report did not specify the estimated cost of the proposed 50-mile Midlands-North West rail link, suggesting that financing should be maximised from the private sector, with central and local governments partnering to fund the balance. If approved, journey times between London and Manchester would be 30 minutes faster than current timings and just 15 minutes slower than the initial HS2 plans.
Transport for the North warns that without new high-speed tracks, existing rail infrastructure in the north, including the WCML, could reach maximum capacity and collapse when HS2 trains begin running in the 2030s. This could lead to a 17% reduction in overall rail capacity in Birmingham and Manchester, according to the National Audit Office.
Transport Secretary Louise Haigh is reportedly exploring ways to boost rail investment in the north, with Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy affirming the government’s serious consideration of the matter. Travel correspondent Simon Calder highlights the urgency of the situation, expressing the necessity of a downgraded and renamed rail line to enhance capacity and streamline the rail network.
The proposal to implement the HS2 light line follows speculation over the termination point of the HS2 project, with indications that it might end at London Euston instead of Old Oak Common. An official announcement on the HS2 termination point is anticipated around the time of the Budget on 30th October. Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story.