Burnham Warns of 'Armageddon' Without HS2 Extension to Manchester

Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, has issued a stark warning about the potential consequences of not extending the High Speed 2 (HS2) rail project to Manchester. Speaking at a Labour Party Conference fringe event, Burnham emphasized the critical need for improved rail infrastructure in the North of England.

The HS2 project, one of the largest infrastructure initiatives in Europe, was originally designed to connect London with major cities in the Midlands and North of England. However, in October 2023, then-Prime Minister Rishi Sunak scaled back the project, terminating it in Birmingham to save £36 billion. This decision sparked outrage among Northern leaders who had long campaigned for better regional transport links.

Burnham argues that without the extension, the North faces a "transport nightmare." He explains that if HS2 trains begin operating north of Birmingham on the existing West Coast Main Line (WCML), it could lead to reduced capacity and slower services. This is due to the incompatibility of HS2 trains with the current infrastructure:

"If HS2 trains start rolling north through Birmingham and on to the West Coast Main Line we are looking at Armageddon. The system is simply not set up to deal with those trains. It's hard to believe, but we would end up with a worse train service than we've currently got."

The Mayor points out that HS2 trains, unlike the current tilting Pendolinos, cannot negotiate the WCML's curves at high speeds. Additionally, station platforms north of Birmingham cannot accommodate the full-length HS2 trains, necessitating shorter formations and further reducing capacity.

To address these issues, Burnham and former West Midlands mayor Andy Street have proposed a lower-cost alternative to the scrapped northern leg of HS2. Their plan involves a 50-mile Midlands-Northwest Rail Link, connecting the northern end of HS2 near Lichfield to High Legh, near Warrington. This proposal aims to provide a cost-effective solution while still improving connectivity between major cities.

The importance of this connection is underscored by the fact that HS2 is expected to significantly reduce journey times between major cities and increase overall rail capacity. It's part of a broader strategy to modernize the UK's rail infrastructure and reduce reliance on domestic flights.

Burnham has called on Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Chancellor Rachel Reeves to consider this alternative plan. He expressed encouragement at Starmer's recent comments suggesting the government would "look at" the proposal and potentially move forward with a feasibility study.

The urgency of addressing these rail capacity issues is highlighted by a July 2024 National Audit Office report, which warned of potential problems arising from the cancellation of HS2's northern leg. The Department for Transport has reportedly concluded that the WCML will reach full capacity by the mid-2030s, emphasizing the need for action.

As the debate continues, the HS2 project remains a focal point for discussions about regional economic development, environmental impact, and the future of UK transport infrastructure. With its potential to create thousands of jobs and transform inter-city travel, the decisions made in the coming months could have far-reaching consequences for the North of England and the country as a whole.