THE SCRAPPED Birmingham–Manchester leg of HS2 is set to be replaced with a new rail line under fresh Labour plans.
The original route was axed by Rishi Sunak’s government in 2023 as costs spiralled.
Now the Treasury says it wants a new Birmingham–Manchester connection but insists it will not be a revival of HS2.
No timetable has been set for when it would open, with officials admitting delivery is still years away.
The proposed line is designed to ease pressure on the overstretched West Coast Main Line.
Crucially, it would not open until after Northern Powerhouse Rail is completed, with a £45bn funding cap set for the northern scheme.
An initial £1.1bn has been earmarked for design and development to hammer out a full delivery plan, including timings.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer said northern towns had been “let down by broken promises” and vowed to deliver “real, lasting change”.
Early works under the plan include upgrades linking Sheffield, Leeds, York and Bradford, plus progress on reopening the Leamside Line in the North East.
Later phases would add a new Liverpool–Manchester route via Manchester Airport and stronger rail links across the Pennines.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves said: “If economic growth is the challenge, investment and renewal is the solution.
“That’s why we’re reversing years of chronic underinvestment in the North.
“Our transformative plans will create jobs, build homes and unlock opportunities for businesses to invest.”
