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High speed rail link to York set to be scrapped

York could miss out on trains to London in under 90 minutes
@ News

The BBC is reporting that the eastern branch of the High Speed Rail Link known as HS2 is to be scrapped by the Government.

It would have linked Birmingham with Leeds and York (via a spur onto the current Leeds to York line at Church Fenton)

It would have potentially cut the journey time from York to London down below the 90 minute mark.

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What an HS2 train could look like

Instead it’s reported that ministers will opt for building two shorter stretches of high speed line and link into the existings lines which will be upgraded.

One will run between Leeds and Sheffield, another from Birmingham to East Midlands Parkway.

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The Northern Powerhouse Partnership, a group of northern local authorities and business leaders, said the decision to scrap the Leeds leg of HS2 was a mistake.

Conservative MP for Malton and Thirsk, Kevin Hollinrake, said the trimmed back plans indicated the Government was “not willing to put our money where our mouth is”.

An announcement is expected on Thursday.