Birmingham to Manchester rail line to be built, but government gives no timeline

The government announced a new rail line between Birmingham and Manchester but provided no timetable or funding details, and said it would open only after Northern Powerhouse Rail is completed.

The government has announced plans to build a new rail line linking Birmingham and Manchester. No construction timetable, route details or funding arrangements were provided. The Treasury said the project would not be "a reinstatement of HS2" and that land obtained for HS2 between the West Midlands and northern cities will be retained. Officials said the new line would not open until after Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR) is completed. Known details: - A new Birmingham–Manchester rail line has been announced, but no date for construction or opening was given. - The Treasury said the new line is not a reinstatement of HS2 and that land held for HS2 will be kept while development continues. - The government said the line is intended to ease pressure on the West Coast Main Line. - Delivery of the new line was linked to completion of Northern Powerhouse Rail, which the Treasury says must finish first. - The Treasury announced a £45bn funding cap for NPR, with the option of local contributions, and an initial £1.1bn for NPR development and design work. - NPR’s first phase is set to improve existing connections in the 2030s; later phases include new routes and a new station for Bradford. Summary: The announcement confirms a future Birmingham–Manchester connection but leaves key matters unresolved, including timing, full funding and route specifics. Officials have tied the project’s opening to the completion of Northern Powerhouse Rail and allocated initial design funding for NPR; wider delivery details for the Birmingham–Manchester line are undetermined at this time.