‘HS2 light’ link to Manchester could replace scrapped line beyond Birmingham
5 months, 3 weeks ago

‘HS2 light’ link to Manchester could replace scrapped line beyond Birmingham

The Independent  

Sign up to Simon Calder’s free travel email for expert advice and money-saving discounts Get Simon Calder’s Travel email Get Simon Calder’s Travel email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Ministers are considering a “HS2 light” railway line linking Birmingham and Manchester as part of a cheaper proposal to solve the “capacity crunch” in the north. Trains travelling at around 185mph on the “light” line would be faster than those on the West Coast Main Line route, but slower than the 225mph speeds of HS2. Without new high-speed tracks, the existing rail infrastructure in the north, including the WCML, would reach maximum capacity and “collapse” when HS2 trains start running in the 2030s, said a report by Transport for the North. “Whether you call it “Quite High Speed 2”, or “I can’t believe it’s not HS2”, it has to be built.” The proposal comes after the transport secretary indicated that HS2 would terminate at London Euston rather than Old Oak Common, saying it “would never have made sense” for that not to happen, following months of speculation over the rail line.

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History of this topic

Ministers looking at ‘pipeline of schemes’ to run HS2 north of Birmingham
2 months, 3 weeks ago

Ministers looking at ‘pipeline of schemes’ to run HS2 north of Birmingham

Hindustan Times  

Ministers are looking at a “realistic pipeline of schemes” to link HS2 to destinations north of Birmingham, the Transport Secretary has said. Conservative shadow transport secretary Gareth Bacon accused Labour of having triggered an “ongoing decline in reliability” across the country, as a result of a pay deal last year with the Aslef trade union. “But what I want to …

HS2 boss issues stark warning for 2025
3 months ago

HS2 boss issues stark warning for 2025

The Independent  

Sign up to Simon Calder’s free travel email for expert advice and money-saving discounts Get Simon Calder’s Travel email Get Simon Calder’s Travel email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy HS2 is in a “very serious situation” and needs a “fundamental reset”, the new boss of …

HS2 costs could hit £66bn, progress report says
3 months, 2 weeks ago

HS2 costs could hit £66bn, progress report says

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The cost of building HS2 …

Britain is building the most expensive railway in the world. Many people now think it’s pointless
55 years, 3 months ago

Britain is building the most expensive railway in the world. Many people now think it’s pointless

CNN  

CNN — Building new railways is an expensive business. Only the equally troubled $128-billion California High Speed Rail project in the United States comes close to matching HS2’s soaring costs, with some estimates suggesting that it could top out at $200 million per mile. “The project has become emblematic of Britain’s inability to complete big infrastructure projects.” Railway journalist, author …

HS2: High-speed rail line will end at London Euston, transport secretary Louise Haigh indicates
5 months, 3 weeks ago

HS2: High-speed rail line will end at London Euston, transport secretary Louise Haigh indicates

The Independent  

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The transport secretary has indicated that HS2 will run into central …

HS2’s Euston leg poised to be given green light despite cost concerns
6 months ago

HS2’s Euston leg poised to be given green light despite cost concerns

The Telegraph  

The Government is poised to approve the extension of HS2 into Euston station, despite concerns it could saddle the taxpayer with billions of pounds in extra costs. Chancellor Rachel Reeves will reportedly use her first Budget next month to approve funding for the project, which will also include a multi-billion-pound transformation of Euston. The spiralling costs of HS2 prompted Rishi …

HS2: Manchester mayor Andy Burnham says north faces ‘Armageddon’ without rail network
6 months, 1 week ago

HS2: Manchester mayor Andy Burnham says north faces ‘Armageddon’ without rail network

The Independent  

Sign up to Simon Calder’s free travel email for expert advice and money-saving discounts Get Simon Calder’s Travel email Get Simon Calder’s Travel email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The mayor of Greater Manchester has warned of slower trains and “Armageddon” in the North if …

New report reveals slower and cheaper alternative to scrapped HS2 route
6 months, 3 weeks ago

New report reveals slower and cheaper alternative to scrapped HS2 route

The Independent  

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. The alternative route between Staffordshire and Cheshire, which would connect …

‘Tap-in, tap-out’ to be extended to 90 more railway stations
1 year, 2 months ago

‘Tap-in, tap-out’ to be extended to 90 more railway stations

The Independent  

Sign up to Simon Calder’s free travel email for expert advice and money-saving discounts Get Simon Calder’s Travel email Get Simon Calder’s Travel email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Train passengers travelling to and from 90 railway stations in the West Midlands and Greater Manchester …

Faster train link connecting Sheffield and London in under two hours could be on track next year in boost for northern connectivity after HS2 farce
1 year, 2 months ago

Faster train link connecting Sheffield and London in under two hours could be on track next year in boost for northern connectivity after HS2 farce

Daily Mail  

A new and faster train service between London and Sheffield could be launched in the second half of next year. Transport company FirstGroup announced its plan to operate two daily return trips from London King's Cross to the South Yorkshire city via Retford, Worksop and Woodhouse as part of its Hull Trains business. A new and faster train service between …

HS2 decision means cash can now be spent on northern transport projects, says PM
1 year, 4 months ago

HS2 decision means cash can now be spent on northern transport projects, says PM

The Independent  

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After HS2: Will spending £36bn on regional transport improve your commute? Don’t bank on it…
1 year, 5 months ago

After HS2: Will spending £36bn on regional transport improve your commute? Don’t bank on it…

The Independent  

It’s a bittersweet moment for England’s railway passengers. As the prime minister swings his axe into HS2, lopping the line to Manchester and the stump to the East Midlands, he’s gambling that the series of smaller, tactical transport improvements he announced – matching “every single penny” of the high-speed extension’s £36bn cost – can make up for his strategic retreat. …

What does scaling back of HS2 mean for travellers?
1 year, 5 months ago

What does scaling back of HS2 mean for travellers?

The Independent  

Sign up to Simon Calder’s free travel email for expert advice and money-saving discounts Get Simon Calder’s Travel email Get Simon Calder’s Travel email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. “Instead we will take every pound that would have been spent extending HS2 and invest over £36 billion into Network …

What is the impact of cutting HS2 north of Birmingham?
1 year, 5 months ago

What is the impact of cutting HS2 north of Birmingham?

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. – Where will HS2 trains run now Phases 2a …

Now HS2 northern leg is axed – what next for rail travel in the north?
1 year, 5 months ago

Now HS2 northern leg is axed – what next for rail travel in the north?

The Independent  

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Rishi Sunak axed …

Transport projects supported by PM as HS2 axed north of Birmingham
1 year, 5 months ago

Transport projects supported by PM as HS2 axed north of Birmingham

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Downing Street said transport improvements …

Land on axed HS2 routes will not be protected
1 year, 5 months ago

Land on axed HS2 routes will not be protected

The Independent  

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. The DfT said safeguarding will be lifted in Cheshire, Derbyshire, Lancashire, Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire, Staffordshire, …

Cancelling HS2 is only the start of the Conservatives’ Great Train Robbery
1 year, 5 months ago

Cancelling HS2 is only the start of the Conservatives’ Great Train Robbery

The Independent  

Once Rishi Sunak confirms the cancellation of the northern leg of HS2, the high-speed rail line will stand as a permanent and embarrassing monument to British failure. With as much as £28bn now spent and probably the same amount again needed to finish it, HS2 – a project first proposed in 2008 – remains shrouded in mystery. Sunak, who is …

HS2 railway line: Key numbers
1 year, 5 months ago

HS2 railway line: Key numbers

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. A further revision in 2020 set the estimated cost …

Key dates of the HS2 rail project
1 year, 6 months ago

Key dates of the HS2 rail project

The Independent  

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. – July 2017 HS2 Ltd accepts it was a “serious error” to make £1.76 …

Cutting off the North from HS2 is a national disgrace
1 year, 6 months ago

Cutting off the North from HS2 is a national disgrace

The Independent  

Sign up to Simon Calder’s free travel email for expert advice and money-saving discounts Get Simon Calder’s Travel email Get Simon Calder’s Travel email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Grant Shapps’s now-disintegrated Integrated Rail Plan, published under two years ago, criminally damaged the eastern leg – leaving just a …

Rishi Sunak ‘alarmed’ by spiralling cost of HS2 as he faces Cabinet split
1 year, 6 months ago

Rishi Sunak ‘alarmed’ by spiralling cost of HS2 as he faces Cabinet split

The Independent  

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Rail experts say downscaling HS2 would be ‘commercial and operational mess’
1 year, 6 months ago

Rail experts say downscaling HS2 would be ‘commercial and operational mess’

The Independent  

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. “In effect you’d get 80% of the costs and 20% of the benefits.” Old …

Key dates of the HS2 rail project
1 year, 6 months ago

Key dates of the HS2 rail project

The Independent  

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. – July 2017 HS2 Ltd accepts it was a “serious error” to make £1.76 …

HS2: What is it, how much has it cost and how have the plans changed?
1 year, 6 months ago

HS2: What is it, how much has it cost and how have the plans changed?

The Independent  

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The Prime Minister is reportedly considering axing plans for the HS2 …

High-speed rail was touted as a game-changer in Britain. Costs are making the government think twice
1 year, 6 months ago

High-speed rail was touted as a game-changer in Britain. Costs are making the government think twice

Associated Press  

LONDON — The British government confirmed Sunday it may scrap a big chunk of an overdue and over-budget high-speed rail line once touted as a way to attract jobs and investment to northern England. “We’ve seen very, very high global inflation in a way that no government could have predicted,” said Shapps, a former transportation secretary who now serves as …

Sunak set to cut off HS2’s northern leg as costs spiral – reports
1 year, 6 months ago

Sunak set to cut off HS2’s northern leg as costs spiral – reports

The Independent  

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. And in a letter to the Prime Minister, London Mayor Sadiq Khan said HS2 …

Ministers accused of ‘rail betrayal’ as they refuse to confirm HS2 to Manchester
1 year, 6 months ago

Ministers accused of ‘rail betrayal’ as they refuse to confirm HS2 to Manchester

The Independent  

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. The Tories’ flagship levelling up project that reaches neither the North of England nor …

Labour studying HS2 costs amid questions over fate of Manchester leg
1 year, 6 months ago

Labour studying HS2 costs amid questions over fate of Manchester leg

The Independent  

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Fresh questions have been asked about the fate of the …

Rishi Sunak ‘pushing for HS2 to stop six miles north of Euston’
1 year, 6 months ago

Rishi Sunak ‘pushing for HS2 to stop six miles north of Euston’

The Independent  

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. “Unless he can be persuaded to change course, it is a done deal,” they said, …

HS2 Stage 2 could be scrapped: Rishi Sunak and Jeremy Hunt 'in talks to axe high speed rail route north of Birmingham' to save £34billion ahead of the next election (after already spending £2.3billion
1 year, 6 months ago

HS2 Stage 2 could be scrapped: Rishi Sunak and Jeremy Hunt 'in talks to axe high speed rail route north of Birmingham' to save £34billion ahead of the next election (after already spending £2.3billion

Daily Mail  

Rishi Sunak is facing widespread anger today amid claims that the second stage of the controversial HS2 high-speed rail line could be axed to save money. Tory MP Michael Fabricant said scrapping Phase 2 would be 'sensible' and would protect rural areas north of his Litchfield constituency, where Phase 1 will join the current West Coast mainline. The Prime Minister's …

What is HS2, where will it go and when will it be completed?
1 year, 6 months ago

What is HS2, where will it go and when will it be completed?

The Independent  

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy After years of setbacks, controversy and spiralling costs, phase two …

HS2 rail plans rated “unachievable” by official watchdog
1 year, 8 months ago

HS2 rail plans rated “unachievable” by official watchdog

The Independent  

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy HS2 has been given a rating of “unachievable” by an …

How HS2 haunts ambitious plans for Britain’s golden triangle
1 year, 9 months ago

How HS2 haunts ambitious plans for Britain’s golden triangle

The Telegraph  

The rivalry between Oxford and Cambridge stretches back centuries, with each university town famously dismissing their opposite as “the other place”. East West Rail will revive the old “Varsity line” previously junked in the 1960s, linking Oxford to Cambridge via Bicester, Bletchley and Bedford and cutting journey times by an hour. But, like its bigger cousin, High Speed 2, East …

Leaked document ‘blows apart’ claims HS2 delay will save money – Labour
2 years ago

Leaked document ‘blows apart’ claims HS2 delay will save money – Labour

The Independent  

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Government warned HS2 may never be resurrected after cost-saving delays
2 years ago

Government warned HS2 may never be resurrected after cost-saving delays

The Independent  

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Lord Moylan He said: “In the current economic climate the Government is taking an …

HS2 leg to be delayed and road projects slowed to make savings
2 years ago

HS2 leg to be delayed and road projects slowed to make savings

The Independent  

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. But Mr Harper said he was instead “prioritising” the initial services between Old Oak …

HS2 boss says delays among options being explored to curb rising costs
2 years, 1 month ago

HS2 boss says delays among options being explored to curb rising costs

The Independent  

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The HS2 rail project could be delayed among a number …

Government refuses to deny reports HS2 may not run to central London
2 years, 2 months ago

Government refuses to deny reports HS2 may not run to central London

The Independent  

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The Government has refused to confirm that HS2 will reach …

HS2 boss hails ‘immense progress’
2 years, 3 months ago

HS2 boss hails ‘immense progress’

The Independent  

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New HS2 station will bring in 1,000 jobs, says mayor
2 years, 6 months ago

New HS2 station will bring in 1,000 jobs, says mayor

The Independent  

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy A new £370 million HS2 station will bring around 1,000 …

Leeds, Bradford and other key British cities could miss out on rail revolution
2 years, 8 months ago

Leeds, Bradford and other key British cities could miss out on rail revolution

The Independent  

Sign up to Simon Calder’s free travel email for expert advice and money-saving discounts Get Simon Calder’s Travel email Get Simon Calder’s Travel email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. “The government should reconsider the case for the development of a new station in Bradford.” Leeds The West Yorkshire city …

HS2 signs £2bn deal for UK’s fastest trains
3 years, 3 months ago

HS2 signs £2bn deal for UK’s fastest trains

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy HS2 has signed a £2 …

UK government faces criticism over high-speed rail revisions
3 years, 4 months ago

UK government faces criticism over high-speed rail revisions

Associated Press  

LONDON — The British government came under fire Thursday for scrapping a long-planned high-speed rail line to the northern English city of Leeds as part of a package of revisions that potentially reduces costs by tens of billions of pounds. Critics argue the scaling back of plans will leave many parts of north England, particularly those in eastern areas, at …

‘An act of political spinelessness’: industry reacts to government’s rail plans
3 years, 4 months ago

‘An act of political spinelessness’: industry reacts to government’s rail plans

The Independent  

Sign up to Simon Calder’s free travel email for expert advice and money-saving discounts Get Simon Calder’s Travel email Get Simon Calder’s Travel email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Nigel Harris, managing editor of Rail magazine, told The Independent: “It’s dishonest, it won’t do what is claimed and will …

Now it's £1.3bn! Bill for HS2 goes up again after Covid delays and plan scale back Euston terminal
3 years, 5 months ago

Now it's £1.3bn! Bill for HS2 goes up again after Covid delays and plan scale back Euston terminal

Daily Mail  

The cost of delivering the first phase of HS2 is set to soar by £1.3 billion, the Government has admitted. The cost of delivering the first phase of a controversial high-speed rail project, HS2, is set to soar by £1.3 billion, due to delays caused by the Covid-19 pandemic and plans to scale back size of Euston terminal The ballooning …

London-Edinburgh for under £10: budget train link will give railcard discounts
3 years, 6 months ago

London-Edinburgh for under £10: budget train link will give railcard discounts

The Independent  

Sign up to Simon Calder’s free travel email for expert advice and money-saving discounts Get Simon Calder’s Travel email Get Simon Calder’s Travel email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The new cut-price rail link between London, Newcastle and Edinburgh will deliver even better value than …

HS2's eastern link hits the buffers as the line to Leeds is shelved amid soaring costs
3 years, 8 months ago

HS2's eastern link hits the buffers as the line to Leeds is shelved amid soaring costs

Daily Mail  

The Eastern leg of the HS2 rail line to Nottingham, Sheffield and Leeds has been ‘shelved’ amid concerns about soaring costs. HS2 chief executive Mark Thurston told MPs this month that the future of the Eastern leg was uncertain In a joint letter to the PM this week, Nottinghamshire County Council’s Tory leader Ben Bradley and Leeds City Council’s Labour …

How the government will squander £50m on empty trains this weekend
4 years, 5 months ago

How the government will squander £50m on empty trains this weekend

The Independent  

Sign up to Simon Calder’s free travel email for expert advice and money-saving discounts Get Simon Calder’s Travel email Get Simon Calder’s Travel email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. As you may not know, the government is paying Avanti West Coast to run 150 trains connecting Manchester Piccadilly and …

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