The government is set to approve the controversial High Speed 2 (HS2) rail project.

An announcement on the route linking London to Birmingham, and then on to Manchester and Leeds, is expected by the prime minister today (Tuesday 11th February).

Supporters of the plan say it will improve transport times, create jobs and rebalance the UK's economy.

But the rising cost of the project and accusations of mismanagement has provoked anger from critics.

HS2 - which is due to be completed by 2040 - is already over budget and behind schedule.

The government is expected to approve the whole line. However, it will try to make changes to the second phase of the project - the routes to Manchester and Leeds - to save money.

A source close to the project has confirmed that Boris Johnson will also announce a series of other transport projects on Tuesday. The projects are aimed at answering critics who fear the high cost of HS2 will mean other infrastructure projects are sidelined.

Some of them will be situated in the north of England and the Midlands as part of the government's manifesto promise to "level up" the UK by investing more in regions outside of London.

source: BBC News