Work to link HS2 to west coast mainline to be delayed for four more years

Decision to extend pause on 18-mile stretch north of Birmingham part of ‘reset’ to troubled rail project

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Work to connect HS2 to the west coast mainline will be deferred for another four years as part of a “reset” of the troubled high-speed rail project.

The work between Birmingham and Handsacre in Staffordshire was originally halted in early 2023 by the previous government to limit spending on HS2.