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Railways: Birmingham and Greater Manchester

Asked by Wendy MortonConservativeDepartment for TransportTabled Answered 15 June 2026UIN 6761

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what budget has been allocated to the feasibility study into future rail connectivity between Birmingham and Manchester; what options will be considered; whether construction of a new high-speed railway will be included among those options; and when the Government expects to publish its conclusions.

Answered by Keir Mather

The budget for feasibility work on future rail connectivity between Birmingham and Manchester will draw on provision made for future network planning work. The Government has made it clear however that we will not be bringing back HS2 between Birmingham and Manchester. The feasibility work is expected to conclude in 2028.

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