New Birmingham–Manchester rail link could be proposed after Northern Powerhouse Rail
A new rail link between Manchester and Birmingham could be proposed by the government, years after plans for a direct high-speed route between the two cities were scrapped, according to a report by the BBC.
Previous proposals for HS2 included a high-speed line linking Birmingham and Manchester, but that section of the project was cancelled under the government of former prime minister Rishi Sunak.
The BBC reports that ministers are now expected to confirm plans for new and upgraded rail links across the North of England as part of Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR), a long-running scheme aimed at improving connections between major northern cities.
However, little detail is expected about any new Birmingham–Manchester route beyond an intention to build it only after NPR is completed - meaning it may not be delivered for several decades.
Capacity pressures on existing rail routes
Plans to bring high-speed rail to the North were first proposed in 2014 by former Conservative chancellor George Osborne.
The BBC says ministers acknowledge that the existing West Coast Main Line, which connects Manchester and Birmingham to London, is already heavily congested and will require increased capacity in the future.
The idea of a new alternative line between Birmingham and Manchester has been backed by Andy Burnham, who has previously argued that improved north-south connectivity is vital for economic growth in the region.
Under current plans, a new high-speed line between Liverpool and Manchester is expected to form the central spine of Northern Powerhouse Rail, with the project designed to cut journey times between northern cities and boost economic growth outside London.
Delays, costs and political criticism
Expected announcements on Northern Powerhouse Rail were delayed several times last year amid concerns over costs.
According to the BBC, insiders said the government has extended its review of the project in an effort to avoid mistakes associated with HS2, which has suffered from delays and major cost overruns.
HS2 is now estimated to be tens of billions of pounds over budget and around a decade behind schedule.
Reports suggest the remaining Birmingham-to-London section alone could cost £81bn - rising to more than £100bn when inflation is taken into account - despite delivering just 135 miles of track.
HS2 Ltd, the government-owned company responsible for the project, has previously accepted it failed to keep overall costs under control and acknowledged that early expectations were unrealistic.
The Conservatives have criticised Labour’s handling of rail investment plans. Shadow Rail Minister Jerome Mayhewsaid Labour had “no ability to follow through on its promises”.
He added: “Labour have spent months talking up Northern Powerhouse Rail, yet today they've put back any plans to actually deliver it and rewritten timetables on the fly.
“Northern Powerhouse Rail could have been transformational, empowering regional growth and regeneration.
“Under Labour it risks becoming a permanent mirage that is endlessly redesigned, downgraded and never delivered.”