The government is expected to announce plans for a new rail link between Birmingham and Manchester, according to the BBC. This proposal comes after the cancellation of the Birmingham to Manchester leg of the HS2 high-speed rail project by Rishi Sunak's government.
The announcement, anticipated on Wednesday, will also include confirmation of proposals for Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR), a scheme focused on improving rail connections across the North of England. Details regarding the Birmingham-Manchester route are scarce, but the government intends to pursue it after the completion of NPR, potentially delaying its realization for several decades.
The need for increased rail capacity stems from the congested West Coast Main Line, a concern acknowledged by government ministers. The original vision for high-speed rail in the north was introduced by former Chancellor George Osborne in 2014.
Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham has voiced support for an alternative new line. The Northern Powerhouse Rail project is aimed at cutting travel times between northern cities and towns.
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