HS2 Bill for Crewe to Manchester expected soon

THE government intends to deposit the bill for Phase 2b of HS2 early next year or sooner if possible, according to HS2 Ltd CEO Mark Thurston. In a letter to the Independent Residents' Commissioner, Mr Thurston says the government 'intend to deposit the Bill in Parliament in early 2022 or sooner if possible, subject to their Integrated Rail Plan, which is due to be published this year.' The IRP has been delayed, and no firm date for its publication has been announced yet, although it will have important implications for the future of Northern Powerhouse Rail as well as the eastern leg of HS2 to the East Midlands and Yorkshire.