As part of this afternoon’s Autumn Budget announcement, the UK Chancellor, Rachel Reeves has confirmed that the HS2 connection from Old Oak Common to Euston will go ahead.

This commitment comes on the heels of the Labour government’s recent announcement that it will review the HS2 project to deliver cost-saving measures.

HS2 to develop stations of the future
The exterior concept design at HS2 Euston Station

The project has already suffered several major blows, including the axing of Phase 2, which would have connected the line to Manchester and Leeds. By extending the line to Euston, the government will at least now avoid the madness of terminating high-speed journeys five miles west of the capital.

The High Speed Rail Group commented:

Rail investment is far more than a short-term cost: it is a driver of national growth and regional connectivity. Today’s approval to complete HS2’s critical link from Old Oak Common to Euston marks a pivotal step forward. We hope that an era of fragmented, short-term decision making has been ended, in favour of a move towards a cohesive vision for the future of UK rail.

However, we cannot stop here. To fully realise the socio-economic benefits of this project, it is critical that Phase 1 is properly connected north of Birmingham to Crewe and beyond.

Taking a long-term, integrated approach to rail delivery going forward will enable HS2 and the broader network to fuel the UK’s economy and enhance productivity for generations to come. For the first time in some years, this Budget sees that future get one step nearer rather than further away.

Despite the positive commitment to taking HS2 to Euston, the Autumn Budget announcement also confirmed a 4.6% increase in rail fares from March 2025, which unfortunately, is likely to deter passengers from embracing a model shift away from private cars to embrace more sustainable transport habits.

Rail Partners chief executive, Andy Bagnall, said:

Government should set fares at a level that will ultimately encourage more people to travel by train in the future, helping to secure the long-term financial sustainability of the sector and capture the wider economic and environmental benefits of rail for the nation as a whole. The focus must be on growing passenger numbers, not making current passengers pay more.

Tags

More News

Get in touch

Please fill in the contact form opposite. A member of the team will be in touch shortly.








    Advertise with UsGeneral EnquiryEditorial Request

    We'd love to send you the latest news and information from the world of Railway-News. Please tick the box if you agree to receive them.

    For your peace of mind here is a link to our Privacy Policy.

    By submitting this form, you consent to allow Railway-News to store and process this information.