HS2 is to open six years earlier but only extending as far north as Crewe, the Chancellor George Osborne has announced.
The new timetable means a part of the second phase of the project is due to open only a year after the first phase from London to Birmingham is due to be operational.
“Bringing forward this part of the HS2 route by six years is a massive step in the right direction for the Northern Powerhouse where high-speed rail will play a big role in connecting up the entire region with the rest of the country,” the chancellor said.
The Treasury said journey times between Crewe and London would be cut by 45 minutes once the new route was open.
The rail link was first due to stretch from London to Birmingham by 2026, and then reach Manchester and Leeds by 2033 but head of the project, Sir David Wiggins proposed a speeding up of the project last year.
Sir David said: “This is another significant milestone in the development of Britain’s high speed rail network.By accelerating the second phase between Birmingham and Crewe, we will bring the capacity, connectivity and regeneration benefits of HS2 to the North-West and Scotland years earlier than originally planned.”
Ministers have yet to reveal the exact route of the second part of the network, to Manchester and Leeds, and it will be published only next autumn. Plans for a new interchange in Leeds city centre will also be published on Monday.
Greater Manchester Mayor Tony Lloyd has welcomed the government’s announcement that the HS2 Birmingham to Crewe link will open six years earlier than planned.
Tony said: “This announcement is a welcome step in transforming the transport links of the North of England and is good news for Greater Manchester. I’m pleased that Ministers have listened to campaigners in bringing forward the timetable to deliver this major and much-needed infrastructure project.
“High speed rail for Greater Manchester and the North will help us attract investment and jobs, connecting the region with the rest of the country and bringing huge benefits for local people – I wholly welcome it. Hopefully, this will be a catalyst for further transport investment as I and local leaders work together to make devolution work for the people of Greater Manchester.”
