Will the King of the North’s HS2 plan hit the buffers? Andy Burnham wants to resurrect Manchester link with slower trains despite £60billion cost as critics blast ‘fantasy scheme’
Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham is reportedly seeking to revive the cancelled northern section of HS2 to Manchester, using slower trains and a revised route. The proposal matters because it reopens the debate over rail capacity, regional connectivity and whether northern England can receive the infrastructure benefits originally promised by HS2.
The plan is said to carry a potential cost of about £60 billion, despite being designed around slower services than the original high-speed scheme. Critics have described it as unrealistic or a “fantasy scheme”, reflecting concern about affordability after the Government cancelled HS2’s route north of Birmingham.
- Burnham reportedly wants HS2’s Manchester link revived.
- The revised scheme could cost around £60 billion.
- Critics question whether the proposal is affordable or realistic.