HS2 Phase Two: from the West Midlands to Leeds and Manchester
Detailed information for Phase Two of HS2 from the West Midlands to Leeds and Manchester
On 30 November 2015, the government announced a proposed way forward on Phase Two of HS2.
On 15th November 2016 the government announced the preferred route for Phase 2b. The announcement supersedes all of the maps produced in 2013 - which can be accessed here for reference. https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/hs2-phase-2b-2013-route-announcement-documents
Phase Two forms a ‘Y’ shape from the West Midlands up towards Manchester and the North West with proposed stations at Manchester Airport and Manchester Piccadilly; and up towards Leeds and the North East with proposed stations in Leeds, the East Midlands and Sheffield Meadowhall.
It is anticipated that Phase Two of HS2 will begin operating trains around 2033 as part of the integrated HS2 network and with the rest of the UK rail network. The Government wants part of Phase Two – the route between the West Midlands and Crewe – to open in 2027, six years ahead of the rest of Phase Two, so that the North and Scotland will realise the benefits of HS2 to people and places sooner. This will be subject to its own hybrid Bill, which the Government hopes to deposit in parliament in 2017.
You can view the latest maps and read more about the Phase Two proposed stations and depots in the sections below.
You can also find a report by Network Rail on their proposals for Crewe Hub, which aim to provide more capacity, better connectivity, more resilience, and improved access to and facilities at the station.
Phase 2a - Advice documents
Technical documentation from HS2 Ltd used to advise Government for route section West Midlands to Crewe.