The government is expected to announce its intention to build 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 is anticipated to coincide with the confirmation of proposals for Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR), a scheme focused on improving rail connections across the North of England. While details regarding the Birmingham-Manchester route remain scarce, it is understood that the project is slated for completion after the NPR initiative, potentially delaying its realization for several decades.

The need for increased rail capacity stems from the heavily congested West Coast Main Line, a challenge acknowledged by government ministers. The initial concept of high-speed rail in the north was introduced in 2014 by former Chancellor George Osborne.

Andy Burnham, the Mayor of Greater Manchester, has voiced support for an alternative new rail line. The Northern Powerhouse Rail project is aimed at cutting travel times between northern cities and towns.