Future Retirement Success
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Investing
  • Stocks
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Investing
  • Stocks

Future Retirement Success

Business

Cheaper ‘HS2-light’ line beyond Birmingham considered by ministers

by October 9, 2024
October 9, 2024
Cheaper ‘HS2-light’ line beyond Birmingham considered by ministers

Ministers are exploring plans to build a more cost-effective “HS2-light” railway line between Birmingham and Manchester, after the original high-speed rail project beyond Birmingham was scrapped.

This new proposal, which aims to improve capacity while reducing costs, is being considered as part of a broader review of the country’s infrastructure needs.

The “HS2-light” line would involve constructing a section between Birmingham and Crewe that allows trains to travel faster than on the West Coast mainline but slower than HS2, potentially cutting costs by up to 40%. The government believes this solution is necessary to resolve the impending “capacity crunch” on the West Coast mainline when HS2 begins running in the 2030s. Without new infrastructure, rail capacity between Birmingham and Manchester could decrease by 17%, according to the National Audit Office.

The proposal comes after Transport Secretary Louise Haigh confirmed that HS2 would terminate at London’s Euston rather than Old Oak Common. Senior government sources suggest the plan could move forward after the spring’s three-year spending review, with funding potentially supported by fiscal rule changes to be announced by Chancellor Rachel Reeves in her upcoming budget.

The plan aligns with proposals put forward by Labour mayors Andy Burnham and Richard Parker. They argue that building a new line north of Birmingham is critical for improving both passenger and freight capacity between the Midlands and the north of England. Their report, led by former HS2 Ltd chairman Sir David Higgins, calls for a line connecting Lichfield in Staffordshire to High Legh in Cheshire, with links to the planned east-west Northern Powerhouse Rail.

Henri Murison, chief executive of the Northern Powerhouse Partnership, highlighted the urgent need for the new line, calling it the only viable solution to the region’s capacity issues. He said, “A solution which connects the north and Birmingham with a new line will also link Leeds and the northeast.”

Senior figures within the government have acknowledged the need for action, with one source noting, “There is a realisation in government that what they’ve got at the moment is a complete dog’s breakfast and that something needs to be done.”

The final decision on the “HS2-light” line is expected in the coming months, as ministers assess the best way to move forward with the UK’s rail infrastructure plans.

Read more:
Cheaper ‘HS2-light’ line beyond Birmingham considered by ministers

0
FacebookTwitterGoogle +Pinterest
previous post
Business confidence dented by fears of higher taxes in budget
next post
eBay to ban private e-bike sales over fire safety concerns

You may also like

How To Aluminum Laser Engraving

December 20, 2022

China’s economy beats forecasts but faces looming tariff...

April 16, 2025

PPE Medpro legal battle intensifies as civil servant...

June 13, 2025

UK firms asked to disclose China investments as...

August 22, 2023

Business Confidence Soars to Decade-High as Economy Stabilises...

May 31, 2024

Thousands of Over-50s Embrace Second Careers to Pursue...

November 22, 2024

UK house prices expected to rise by 2.5%...

November 29, 2024

Consumer confidence rises as global trade tensions ease,...

May 23, 2025

Healthy chef-made meal company Tastily welcomes internationally acclaimed...

September 6, 2023

Employment Tribunal system needs ‘whole system reboot’

July 25, 2023

    Get free access to all of the retirement secrets and income strategies from our experts! or Join The Exclusive Subscription Today And Get the Premium Articles Acess for Free

    By opting in you agree to receive emails from us and our affiliates. Your information is secure and your privacy is protected.

    Recent Posts

    • Maybe Most People Do Not Want Teacher-Led Public School Prayer—But They Do Want Chaplains

      June 27, 2025
    • Flashback: The debate night against Trump that threw Biden’s reelection campaign into a free fall

      June 27, 2025
    • How to Improve your Trading Odds and Increase Opportunities

      June 27, 2025
    • UK Export Finance unveils new tools to boost SME global trade

      June 27, 2025
    • Republicans raise alarm over US vulnerability to mass drone strikes after Israel-Iran conflict

      June 27, 2025
    • Manchester businessman cleared of hacking charges in ICO case

      June 27, 2025

    Categories

    • Business (8,329)
    • Investing (2,075)
    • Politics (15,826)
    • Stocks (3,173)
    • About us
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms & Conditions

    Disclaimer: futureretirementsuccess.com, its managers, its employees, and assigns (collectively “The Company”) do not make any guarantee or warranty about what is advertised above. Information provided by this website is for research purposes only and should not be considered as personalized financial advice. The Company is not affiliated with, nor does it receive compensation from, any specific security. The Company is not registered or licensed by any governing body in any jurisdiction to give investing advice or provide investment recommendation. Any investments recommended here should be taken into consideration only after consulting with your investment advisor and after reviewing the prospectus or financial statements of the company.

    Copyright © 2025 futureretirementsuccess.com | All Rights Reserved