Speculation grows about fate of HS2 to Manchester

Business leaders and many politicians have been rallying to the defence of HS2, as reports continue to allege that the Prime Minister is poised to cancel Phase 2 north of Birmingham to Crewe and Manchester. It is said that a decision could be announced before the Conservative Party conference in Manchester, which starts on Sunday. The chair of the National Infrastructure Commission Sir John Armitt said cancellation would be a ‘tragedy’.