The prospect of high-speed journeys adding extra capacity into the rail network has taken a leap forward, as the Bill for the Crewe–Manchester extension of the HS2 network is submitted to Parliament.

The Bill sets out legislation for the next phase of Britain’s new high-speed, zero carbon railway (known as the Phase 2b Western Leg), which will free up capacity on the congested West Coast Main Line and deliver significant connectivity, reliability and journey time benefits for passengers travelling between Scotland, the North, the Midlands and the South East.

The Bill, called the ‘High Speed Rail (Crewe – Manchester) Bill’, seeks powers to construct and operate the Phase 2b Western Leg.

Mark Thurston, CEO at HS2 Ltd said: “HS2 has an integral role to play in levelling up and rebalancing Britain’s economy, and this extension of the network fuels that role by bringing the country’s economic centres in the North and Midlands closer together.

“Construction of the first phase of HS2 is already supporting over 20,000 jobs and spearheading investment and growth in major population centres along the route. This Bill is a vote of confidence in HS2’s ability to help towns and cities in the North realise their economic potential.”

The investment plugs towns and cities all the way up to Edinburgh into the spine of Britain’s new high-speed transport network, making zero carbon journeys more accessible for millions of people and helping to take cars and lorries off the roads as we strive towards the UK’s Net Zero carbon emissions target.

The 85km (52 mile) route includes new high-speed stations at Manchester Airport and Manchester Piccadilly, and provides the critical infrastructure required for Northern Powerhouse Rail and provision for new Metrolink routes, making Manchester the best-connected city outside of London.

Commuter towns south of Manchester could also feel the benefit when new zero carbon high-speed trains shift onto the dedicated HS2 track.

Up to three new train paths per hour could be released between Crewe and Manchester via Stockport, and the number of seats on services between Crewe, Stoke-on-Trent and Manchester Piccadilly could more than double during the evening peak as a result.