Plans unveiled for cheaper high-speed alternative to scrapped HS2 northern leg

The proposed high-speed line, which would link Manchester, above, and Birmingham, was unveiled by the mayors of Greater Manchester and the West Midlands. Photograph: Chris Chambers/Alamy

A plan for a new high-speed rail line linking Birmingham and Manchester has been unveiled, claiming to deliver most of the benefits of the scrapped northern leg of HS2 at significantly cheaper cost and with only slightly longer journey times.

The 50-mile track would run from where the HS2 line is now due to end in Staffordshire to join a planned Northern Powerhouse Rail line west of Manchester airport, under a plan unveiled by the mayors of Greater Manchester and the West Midlands.