The new scaled-back HS2 route will be dramatically different than originally promised now that plans drawn up almost two decades ago have been cut.

The original HS2 railway route - different to Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR) - was scrapped as part of the Government's Integrated Rail Plan on November 18.

The high-speed network was set to create quicker links to and from London, Birmingham, Crewe, Manchester Airport and Manchester Piccadilly - with a leg to the East Midlands, Sheffield and Leeds.

Concerns over HS2 began to grow after October's Conservative Conference.

With leaked reports and vague statements by Government officials and ministers, the future of high-speed rail in some areas of the North looked uncertain.

It came after a campaign to add a Bradford stop on Northern Powerhouse Rail - believed to boost the city's economy by £30 billion over the next 10 years, if approved.

Now it seems the line between Leeds and Manchester will get upgrades, instead of high-speed rail.

Under the Intergrated Rail Plan, the main changes to HS2 are:

  • The extension of HS2 from the East Midlands to Leeds has been scrapped. HS2 trains will instead run on existing lines.
  • NPR between Leeds and Manchester will be a combination of new track and enhancements to existing infrastructure.
  • Plans to fully electrify the Midland Main Line and the Transpennine route, and upgrade the East Coast Main Line.
  • Slightly quicker journey times on upgrades to existing lines.

Map of the old and new HS2 routes

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: This map from PA shows the differences between the previous HS2 route and the revised route.This map from PA shows the differences between the previous HS2 route and the revised route.

 

What the HS2 route promised

At face value, the long-promised HS2 route was a way to boost the North's economy, create better connections to the capital and attempt to balance the divide between infrastructure in the North and South.

Those who opposed HS2 claimed it was high cost while the Green Party suggested funding should be spent on local transport links.

There were also environmental concerns from organisations like the Wildlife Trust over the loss of vital habitats and wild spaces.

The original route was set to "unleash regional growth", according to Downing Street in 2019.

“I want to be the Prime Minister who does with Northern Powerhouse Rail what we did for Crossrail in London," Prime Minister Boris Johnson told voters.

'Betrayal' claims over shortened HS2 route

Boris Johnson has been accused of a “betrayal” of the North and Midlands as the Government set out its scaled-back plans for rail investment in the region.

There was anger in the Commons as Transport Secretary Grant Shapps confirmed that the eastern leg of HS2 was being scrapped while the planned Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR) was being curtailed.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: St James' Market, where the NPR station was proposed to be built.St James' Market, where the NPR station was proposed to be built.

The Prime Minister insisted the new Integrated Rail Plan (IRP) would double capacity between Manchester and Leeds and treble that between Manchester and Liverpool.

At the same time, he said people could not have “everything at once”, while going ahead with the HS2 extension would mean “smashing through unspoilt countryside and villages”.

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said Mr Johnson had “ripped up” promises he made that HS2 would go all the way to Leeds and that there would be a new NPR line from Manchester to Leeds.

“This was the first test of ‘levelling up’ and the Government has completely failed and let down everybody in the North. You can’t believe a word the Prime Minister says,” he said.