Sale of HS2 land put on hold as Government considers alternative

A transport minister has confirmed that land bought up for Phase 2a of HS2 will not be sold until the Government has considered an alternative proposal to build a new 50-mile railway line.

This commitment, by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill, comes following the publication of a report commissioned by the mayors of Greater Manchester and the West Midlands last month.

The report said that creating a new rail link between the Midlands and the North West was critical to enhance capacity for passengers and freight moving between the regions.

The coalition of private sector organisations led by former HS2 Ltd chairman Sir David Higgins described an alternative new line between Lichfield, Staffordshire and High Legh, Cheshire, connecting with the proposed east-west Northern Powerhouse Rail, as a ‘golden opportunity’.

This would create a new link between Manchester and Birmingham.

The consortium recommended the Government maintained ownership of land acquired for HS2 Phase 2a between the West Midlands and Crewe.

The alternative would create a new link between Manchester and Birmingham (Image: PA)

In October last year, then-prime minister Rishi Sunak cancelled a plan to extend HS2 between the West Midlands and Manchester amid spiralling costs.

Raising the alternative scheme in Parliament, Tory frontbencher Lord Moylan said: “Would the minister give the House an absolute assurance that no land will be sold that would be necessary for the construction of that proposed rail link until the Government has had time to assess it and give it full consideration?”

Responding, Lord Hendy said: “It is an interesting report.

“We recognise the concerns about connectivity between Birmingham, Manchester and the north of England.

“We will consider advice and engage with the mayors and the detail of the report.

“And of course we will give ourselves time to do that before any precipitant action is taken on the land concerned.”

Earlier, Labour peer Lord Grocott sought assurance that the Government would “protect the route” of the cancelled HS2 line to Manchester, including retaining land already purchased.