HS2 dithering to end as plans to send high-speed line to Manchester and Leeds are confirmed
It should slash journey times and deliver a much needed boost to capacity on the lines
THE TRANSPORT SECRETARY will today brand HS2 the “greatest ever upgrade” to Britain’s railways as he confirms plans to extend the project to Manchester and Leeds.
Chris Grayling will say that as well as slashing journey times, the high speed service will deliver a much needed boost to capacity on the lines.
Once complete in 2033, the number of passengers between London, Birmingham, Manchester and Leeds per hour could treble to 15,000.
And there should be 48 commuter and intercity trains an hour between London, Birmingham, Manchester and Leeds – a 65 per cent rise from the current 29.
Speaking last night Mr Grayling said: “Our railways owe much to the Victorian engineers who pioneered them, but we cannot rest on their legacy when we face overcrowding and capacity problems.
“The full HS2 route will be a game-changer for the country that will slash journey times and perhaps most importantly give rail passengers on the existing network thousands of extra seats every day.”
The first phase of HS2 – the London to Birmingham line – is expected to up and running by 2026.