NIC leaves HS2’s eastern arm in sidings and NPR in limbo

The National Infrastructure Commission recommends dropping the West Midlands to Leeds arm of HS2 in its advice to ministers on a rail plan for the Midlands and the north of England. Meanwhile, it says much of the Northern Powerhouse Rail programme is unaffordable without a major Government injection of extra cash

11 January 2021

The NIC?recommends the ‘prioritising regional links’ scenario with spending of 25 per cent above baseline (left). The map on the right shows what could be delivered with expenditure 50 per cent above baseline

The eastern arm of HS2 from the West Midlands to Leeds is not a priority for improving the Midlands and the north of England’s rail connections, the National Infrastructure Commission has told ministers. It is also cautious about the Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR) programme, including Boris Johnson’s pledge of a new line between Leeds and Manchester, saying such projects will only be affordable through additional Government spending and/or the reprioritisation of existing...