A New Rail Line to Connect Birmingham and Manchester?

The UK government is considering a new rail route between Birmingham and Manchester. This comes after the original plan for a high-speed rail line, HS2, was scaled back. The new proposal is part of a larger project called Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR), which aims to improve rail links across Northern England. Details about the new Birmingham-Manchester route are scarce. It seems the plan is to build it after NPR is finished, so it might not happen for a long time. The idea of high-speed rail in the north was first suggested by former Chancellor George Osborne in 2014. A new line between Liverpool and Manchester is a key part of NPR, which aims to reduce travel times and boost the economy outside of London.However, the current government has delayed announcements about these plans due to cost concerns. They are trying to avoid the mistakes made with HS2, which has faced many problems and delays. HS2 is now way over budget and behind schedule. The shortened line between Birmingham and London could cost around £81bn, and with inflation, that could mean over £100bn for just 135 miles of railway. HS2 Ltd has admitted they failed to control costs and manage expectations. This has led to a lot of criticism and scrutiny. The government is now being more cautious with the new plans to ensure they don't make the same mistakes.