Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministerial Statement

High Speed Rail (Crewe - Manchester) Bill 2026-02-02

02 February 2026 · 6 other contributors

Opened by The Secretary of State for Transport Heidi Alexander Lab Labour

Transport

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

The Secretary of State for Transport Heidi Alexander raised concerns about high speed rail (crewe - manchester) bill 2026-02-02 in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.

Key points

  • The motions today are vital for the delivery of the High Speed Rail (Crewe - Manchester) Bill.
  • This bill focuses on ensuring the Government follows the speediest and most logical route to progress plans for a new rail line between Liverpool and Manchester.
  • The rail line will also call at Warrington and Manchester airport.

How the debate unfolded

MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.

Government Statement

The Secretary of State for Transport Heidi Alexander

The motions before us today are vital for the delivery of the High Speed Rail (Crewe - Manchester) Bill. This is not about reinstating HS2 north of the west midlands, nor addressing capacity constraints on the west coast main line between Manchester and Birmingham. Instead, it focuses on ensuring that the Government follow the speediest and most logical route to progressing plans for a new rail line between Liverpool and Manchester, which will also call at Warrington and Manchester airport. This is part of the second phase of Northern Powerhouse Rail, committed by this government last month. The Bill’s purpose has been refined since its introduction in January 2022: it was initially intended to provide powers for HS2 from Crewe to Manchester and for east-west connectivity; however, with the Network North announcement cancelling high-speed rail north of the west midlands, the HS2 element is no longer required. The Bill now focuses on delivering the section of Northern Powerhouse Rail into Manchester.

Other contributors (6)
  • Ann Davies PC Caerfyrddin

    Question

    The classification of Northern Powerhouse Rail as an England-Wales project is short-changing Wales of up to £1.5 billion, and Plaid Cymru wants immediate devolution of rail to end this funding scandal. How many official requests have the Welsh Government made for the devolution of rail in Wales?

    Minister reply

    I constantly speak to my counterpart in the Welsh Government, Ken Skates, and we have a very good collaborative working relationship. I remind the hon. Lady that our government committed £445 million to Welsh rail last year's spending review, which will result in improved stations and more reliable services for Wales.

  • Jim Shannon DUP Strangford

    Question

    Can the Secretary of State assure me that the National Farmers Union and the Country Land and Business Association, which represent a great many people and whose members’ land may have to be used for this purpose, are consulted and given the right money for the land they are giving up for this railway, and that everything is in order for them?

    Minister reply

    I will ensure that the organisations mentioned by the hon. Gentleman are appropriately consulted throughout this process. We as a Government are determined to work in partnership with all stakeholders—landowners, businesses and individuals—who are affected.

  • Grahame Morris Lab Easington

    Question

    After many years of raised hopes, will my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State assure the House that the Bill is the most effective means of delivering Northern Powerhouse Rail without any unnecessary delay?

    Minister reply

    The Government are committed to ensuring the Bill progresses effectively and delivers on our ambitious plans for Northern Powerhouse Rail. We are focused on working with all stakeholders to ensure minimal delays.

  • Olly Glover LD Didcot and Wantage

    Question

    The Secretary of State mentioned that the Bill does not cover Birmingham-Manchester. When do they intend to bring forward proposals for improvements in this corridor?

    Minister reply

    While we understand the importance of transport between the west midlands and north-west, this debate is specifically about Northern Powerhouse Rail from Manchester to Liverpool.

  • Esther McVey Con Tatton

    Question

    Why continue with this project when it has been cancelled by previous Prime Ministers? Does the Government not realise they are causing anxiety among constituents?

    Minister reply

    Continuing with the Bill is crucial to deliver Northern Powerhouse Rail, providing faster rail connections between growing city regions in the north. We disagree that this project is dead and will continue our efforts despite past cancellations.

  • Jerome Mayhew LD Broadland and Fakenham

    Question

    How does the Secretary of State plan to deliver all improvements within a financial cap of £45 billion?

    Minister reply

    We are committed to delivering Northern Powerhouse Rail within budget by phasing investments, securing local contributions from directly elected mayors along the northern growth corridor.

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