General · 13 January 2026
Government confirms new Birmingham Manchester rail link plans
A new rail link connecting Birmingham and Manchester is planned, according to government sources. The line is part of the Northern Powerhouse Rail initiative. This follows the 2023 cancellation of the HS2 Birmingham to Manchester leg by then-Prime Minister Sunak. The proposed railway aims to improve transport across the North of England. However, construction is not expected to start before 2036. It will be built after other northern rail improvements are finished.
Reported by ITV · How we write briefs