The UK Government is reportedly set to announce original HS2 plans will be revived running from London Euston to Crewe, according to LBC.

The route was scheduled to connect London, Birmingham, Manchester and Leeds, but the northern leg of phase two was scrapped by Rishi Sunak's Conservative government in October 2023.

Phase 2a was to connect the West Midlands to Crewe, with 'Phase 2b' from Crewe to Manchester.

Keir Starmer is reportedly preparing to reverse the cancellation of 'Phase 2a', as the route already has parliamentary approval.

This will mean the high speed line will run from the capital beyond Birmingham to Crewe, but not to Manchester.

Keir Starmer is reportedly preparing to reverse the cancellation of HS2 'Phase 2a', as the route already has parliamentary approval from London Euston to Crewe (Nub News).

LBC has reported Downing Street and the Department for Transport have been making the case to the Treasury.

It is understood HS2 Ltd will not be overseeing the works, with the works instead being handed to a private sector consortium.

Insiders told LBC Mr Starmer held private discussions on HS2 at September's Labour Party conference, with the Labour government planning to make a formal announcement in the new year.

Phase 2a to Crewe was estimated to cost around £3.72 billion at 2015 prices, around £5 billion today.

If the report's estimates are correct, this would imply a cost of up to £3.72 billion for the section.

The HS2 northern leg was scrapped by Rishi Sunak's Conservative government in October 2023 (Ryan Parker).

A Department for Transport spokesperson told LBC: "Transport is an essential part of the Government's mission to rebuild Britain and grow our economy.

"We are committed to improving rail connectivity across the North, working with local leaders to do so."

The Local Democracy Reporting Service reports: "The Greater Manchester Mayor [Andy Burnham] has appeared to back the plan, which is similar to the proposals Mr Burnham and former West Midlands mayor Andy Street put together. Last month, they unveiled a ‘very similar’ scheme for a privately funded line from Lichfield to High Legh that would connect up to Birmingham and Manchester respectively.

"Speaking on BBC Radio Manchester on Thursday, Mr Burnham said anyone designing a new line between the two cities ‘would want it through Crewe’. He also suggested it could connect to his proposed Liverpool-Manchester railway line, the future of which hangs in the balance after a row over funding.

"He went on: 'The Liverpool-Manchester line could have a spur from it to Crewe so you would have a new line from London up the country.'”

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