HS2's northern route delayed by four years, pushing completion past 2033, as focus shifts to the London-Birmingham line.

The HS2 high-speed rail project’s 18-mile northern segment from Birmingham to Handsacre will be delayed by at least four years, pushing completion beyond 2033, as officials prioritize the London-Birmingham route. HS2 Ltd cited cost overruns and integration challenges with the existing West Coast Mainline, pausing construction on key sections while continuing work on the core route. The delay has drawn criticism from northern leaders, who say communities face disruption without benefits, and renewed calls for funding to support alternative rail upgrades like the Sheffield-Leeds line, though no new investments have been confirmed.