Plans progress for Crewe to Manchester leg of HS2

Plans are continuing to progress for the Crewe to Manchester leg of the HS2 high-speed rail link after the government introduced a second additional provision to the High Speed Rail (Crewe – Manchester) Bill on 3rd July.

The provisions make a number of minor changes to the route of the railway through Cheshire and Greater Manchester, following ongoing engagement with communities likely to be affected by the construction and running of HS2, as well as with other stakeholders.

Proposed changes include the interactions between the route and motorway junctions, including at Junction 6 of the M56, and junctions 19 and 20a of the M6. At the line’s Manchester Piccadilly terminus, works have also been proposed to reduce flood risk, change footpath, parking and taxi provision, and to bring additional planting to the station. Despite ongoing calls from local leaders, however, plans for an underground terminus for HS2 services in the city have not moved forward.

Alterations have also been put forward to mitigate the environmental impacts of constructing the high-speed rail link.

Addressing the House of Commons on 3rd July, Transport Secretary Huw Merriman set out the changes to Parliament, and outlined how those affected can comment on the plans; he said:

“Delivery of a project on the scale of HS2 will inevitably cause disruption for local people and their communities. Those individuals who are directly and specially affected by today’s proposals can petition against the changes. The petitioning period will open tomorrow (4 July 2023) and continue until 15 August 2023.

“I have overseen extensive engagement with affected individuals and their communities by HS2 Ltd and I have written to elected representatives, such as parish councils and local authority leaders, as well as my colleagues with impacted constituencies in Parliament. Petitions will be heard by the specially appointed Select Committee. The Select Committee can make recommendations to address matters raised – it may amend the bill, it may ask for new bill powers, or it may require HS2 Limited to address a petitioner’s issues via other means.”

The changes to the route follow the announcement earlier this year that the Crewe to Manchester leg of HS2 was expected to be delayed as the government looks to mitigate the rising cost of the project. Furthermore, the line will initially only run to Old Oak Common, rather than into Euston station in Central London, necessitating a change onto the Elizabeth Line to reach the city centre.

Once complete, HS2 is set to cut journey times between London and North-west, as well as increase capacity on the local rail network for commuter and intercity travel within the region.