HS2 route to Manchester scrapped by Rishi Sunak

Rishi Sunak has decided to scrap the second phase of HS2 between Birmingham and Manchester, The Times has learned.

Industry sources confirmed that the prime minister would use his conference speech on Wednesday to say that the northern section of the line will be axed.

A Downing Street spokeswoman attempted to play down the speculation. However, several sources have said that the prime minister has made a final decision, which will be signed off by the cabinet ahead of his speech in Manchester.

The move follows weeks of speculation that Sunak was determined to curtail a project that has run billions of pounds over budget. He is expected to announce that any savings will be ploughed into other transport projects including upgrading the road network