Bill extending HS2 to Manchester handed to Parliament

HS2 will play a “vital role in fostering economic ties ” between Birmingham and the north, business leaders said today.

It comes as the bill to extend the high-speed rail line to Manchester is laid in Parliament.

The bill handed to Parliament today seeks powers to lay new track and build new stations.

Work is already under way on phase one of HS2 between London and Birmingham.

The next section will extend the line to Crewe, with the final phase taking HS2 to Manchester.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said: "We are determined to improve transport connections and level up communities across the country, and this bill marks a landmark moment as we bring HS2 to Manchester and lay the foundations for Northern Powerhouse Rail."

Business leaders in Greater Birmingham welcomed the latest development and said HS2 is already having a “transformative ” impact.

Raj Kandola, head of policy at Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce, said: “This is another important milestone in the history of HS2 looking ahead to the extension of the network up to Manchester.

“With the release of the Levelling Up Paper on the horizon, we shouldn 't forget the central role HS2 will play in bringing this agenda to life given the huge economic and environmental benefits the project will bring to the Midlands and the country as a whole.

“Here in Greater Birmingham, we 've seen first-hand the transformative impact HS2 has had in driving investment, creating new jobs and unlocking potential in areas that have suffered from years of underinvestment and we look forward to the North West embarking on a similar trajectory.

“Bringing our great regions closer together will also play a vital role in fostering economic ties and freeing up much need capacity on our ailing rail network - in essence, bringing the Government 's concept of Building Back Better a huge step closer to reality. ”