HS2 announcement as government addresses calls for new line to Manchester
manchestereveningnews.co.ukThe transport secretary has announced 'tough measures' to bring HS2 'back on track', focusing on the southern leg of the project.
Louise Haigh has vowed to 'get a grip' on the costs of the high-speed line which was supposed to reach Manchester until the second phase of the scheme was cancelled last year.
Northern leaders, including from Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham, are now calling on the government to build a new cheaper line north of the Midlands where the first phase of HS2 is programmed to end.
The Department for Transport (DfT) has said that it 'recognise concerns' about transport connectivity between Birmingham and Manchester, but its 'primary focus' now is the 'safe delivery' of HS2 between Birmingham and London at the 'lowest reasonable cost'. READ MORE: The 'most comfortable' train seats in the UK that may never reach the North It follows reports that the senior government figures are looking at the proposal dubbed 'HS2 light' that would allow trains to travel faster than the existing West Coast mainline, but slower than the original high-speed plans.
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