HS2 Trains Due To Arrive At Crewe 6 Years Early

Chancellor George Osborne has announced that the new high speed rail network HS2 will reach Crewe by 2027 - six years earlier than originally planned.

The rail link was first due to stretch from London to Birmingham by 2026, and then reach Manchester and Leeds by 2033.

But HS2 boss Sir David Higgins proposed speeding up the £50bn project last year.

Mr Osborne said last week's Spending Review had heralded the biggest rise in transport investment in a generation.

"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," he said.

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.

"It (Other OTC: ITGL - news) has also been very gratifying, as we develop the plans for Phase Two, to see a consensus grow among the city regions in the East Midlands and Yorkshire on the siting of future hub stations at Toton and Leeds city centre respectively."