The government has unveiled the preferred route for the high speed line north of Birmingham

rail

The government has unveiled the preferred route for the high speed line north of Birmingham, with the new fast train to stop at five new stations, including Manchester and Leeds.

Construction work on the 211 mile northern route beyond Birmingham set to get underway in 10 years time.

The 140 mile first phase of High Speed Two (HS2), which runs between London and Birmingham, starts construction in four years and is expected to open to passengers in 13 years.

The northern route is expected to open six years after that.

Five new stations

  • Manchester, located in the city centre alongside the existing station at Piccadilly
  • Manchester Airport, a new interchange station alongside the M56, between Warburton Green and Davenport Green
  • East Midlands, at Toton between Nottingham and Derby, and one mile off the M1
  • Sheffield, at Meadowhall, connected to the city centre station by a 5-minute rail link
  • Leeds, at New Lane, in the South Bank area of the city centre, connected to the current main station by a walkway

Prime Minister David Cameron said: 鈥淟inking communities and businesses across the country and shrinking the distances between our greatest cities, high speed rail is an engine for growth that will help to drive regional regeneration and invigorate our regional economies. It is vital that we get on board the high-speed revolution.

鈥淲e are in a global race and this government鈥檚 decision to make high speed rail a reality is another example of the action we taking to equip Britain to compete and thrive in that race.

鈥淗igh speed rail is a catalyst that will help to secure economic prosperity across Britain, rebalance our economy and support tens of thousands of jobs.鈥�

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