Auto Amazon Links: No products found. Blocked by captcha.
The BBC has learned that the government plans to announce the development of a new rail connection linking Birmingham and Manchester. This proposal revives a component of the former HS2 high-speed rail initiative, although the section between these two cities was previously dropped by the administration led by Rishi Sunak.
Alongside this, the government is expected to provide updates on the Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR) program, which aims to introduce new and enhanced rail services throughout the North of England. However, there is limited information expected specifically about the Birmingham-Manchester route, with indications that construction would only commence following the completion of NPR, potentially placing the project many years into the future.
The concept of extending high-speed rail infrastructure to northern England dates back to 2014, when former Conservative chancellor George Osborne first advocated for it. A key focus of the Northern Powerhouse Rail initiative is the proposed route between Liverpool and Manchester, intended to reduce travel times between major northern urban centres and stimulate economic growth beyond London.
Yet, announcements regarding these rail projects faced multiple delays throughout the previous year due to concerns over escalating costs. Sources reveal that a thorough review has been launched to avoid repeating the errors encountered with the HS2 project, which has suffered from significant delays and budget overruns. Presently, HS2 is billions over its original budget and approximately ten years behind schedule, with estimates indicating that the scaled-back Birmingham to London segment alone could cost £81 billion. When adjusted for inflation, expenditures might exceed £100 billion for just 135 miles of track. The Department for Transport’s HS2 Ltd has conceded failings in controlling costs and acknowledged that earlier expectations for the project were unrealistic
Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More
Auto Amazon Links: No products found. Blocked by captcha.