HS2 Birmingham to Crewe link to open six years early
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Loading... - Nicole Harriet
- 30 Nov 2020
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HS2, the proposed high-speed rail link between Birmingham and Crewe will be opened six years earlier than planned, in 2027.
Improving transport links with the North of England is a key part of the government's transport policy.
The London to Birmingham route was originally due for completion by 2026, and to Manchester and Leeds by 2033.
Last year, the boss of HS2, Sir David Higgins, said the £50bn project should be completed sooner than that.
The Chancellor, George Osborne also announced that ex-head of the CBI business group John Cridland would chair a new body called Transport for the North, which will look to improve transport links across the North.
The new timetable means a part of the second phase of the project is due to open only a year after the first phase from London to Birmingham is due to be operational.
"Bringing forward this part of the HS2 route by six years is a massive step in the right direction for the Northern Powerhouse where high-speed rail will play a big role in connecting up the entire region with the rest of the country," the chancellor said.
The Treasury said journey times between Crewe and London would be cut by 45 minutes once the new route was open.
In his Spending Review last week, Mr Osborne confirmed that the government would spend £13bn on improving transport links in the North.
