Andy Burnham Pledges to Reinstate HS2 Link to Manchester if He Becomes Prime Minister

Andy Burnham has reignited the HS2 row by declaring he would bring the scrapped Birmingham-to-Manchester line back from the dead if he ever becomes Prime Minister.

The Greater Manchester Mayor has thrown his weight behind reviving the northern leg of the controversial high-speed railway, arguing the North still desperately needs the extra rail capacity despite the project being axed by the Government.

Burnham's intervention comes nearly three years after former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak pulled the plug on the Manchester section of HS2, citing soaring costs that ballooned from an original £56 billion to around £100 billion.

While the current Labour government has repeatedly ruled out restoring the cancelled route, Burnham has made clear he believes the decision should be reversed.

Speaking to The i, he said: “I would revive HS2” between Birmingham and Manchester if he became Prime Minister.

The Labour figure, currently campaigning in the Makerfield by-election, believes the line could be funded through a Crossrail-style model, with central government, councils and businesses all contributing to the cost.

Supporters argue the scheme would unlock economic growth across the Midlands and North while easing pressure on overcrowded rail routes.

The comments have been welcomed by rail industry leaders who continue to campaign for the project's return.

Huw Merriman, Chair of the High Speed Rail Group, said: “It is very encouraging to hear Andy Burnham continuing to advocate for a new railway between Birmingham and Manchester, a priority that has rightly remained on the government’s agenda.”

He warned that the case for the railway has not weakened despite the cancellation.

“The need for the route is no less pressing today than when HS2 was first announced,” he said.

According to campaigners, the missing section would do far more than simply cut journey times. They argue it would create much-needed space on existing railways for local passenger services and freight traffic while boosting economic growth across the North.

Merriman added: “A new connection between Birmingham and Manchester will add transport capacity to and from the North, while also helping to deliver the Government’s ambition of a more balanced UK economy.”

He also urged politicians not to delay if the scheme is ever to be resurrected.

“To maximise those benefits, planning for the next phase should begin in good time, as experience shows that successful infrastructure projects are built on long term planning and certainty,” he said.

The rail industry has long argued that HS2 was never meant to end at Birmingham and that its true value lies in connecting cities across the country.

Merriman reiterated that point, saying: “HS2 was never intended to be a standalone railway. Its greatest value will be realised as part of a wider national network, connecting cities, unlocking capacity for passengers and freight, and supporting growth across the country.”

Burnham's comments are likely to reignite a fierce debate over the future of Britain's rail network, particularly in the North where many local leaders believe the cancellation of the Manchester leg left a major gap in plans to improve transport links.

For now, the Government insists the project remains shelved. But Burnham has made one thing clear — if he ever gets the keys to Downing Street, HS2's route to Manchester could be back on track.