Proposal for New High-Speed Rail Link Unveiled

A new proposal for a 50-mile rail line connecting the Midlands and North West has been introduced as a cost-effective alternative to the scrapped HS2 extension, promising to deliver approximately 85% of the benefits of the original plan at 60-75% of the cost. Commissioned by the mayors of Greater Manchester and the West Midlands, the report highlights the need for enhanced rail capacity to accommodate growing passenger and freight demands. Although journey times would be about 15 minutes longer than the initial HS2 plan, the new line would still be 30 minutes faster than current services. The proposal, led by a coalition of private sector organizations under former HS2 chairman Sir David Higgins, emphasizes funding from the private sector alongside government support to maximize financial viability. The report also suggests that the project could save taxpayers around £2 billion by reusing land and resources originally earmarked for HS2. Mayors warn that without such improvements, congestion on existing routes will hinder economic growth in the regions.