A government study has outlined the economic benefits of accelerating the construction of the section of the HS2 line between Birmingham and Crewe.
It means ministers are now getting ready to introduce a hybrid bill in parliament, which will enable this part of phase two to commence work sooner so that trains can run to Crewe by 2027, rather than in 2033 as originally envisaged.
As a result, thousands of construction and engineering jobs will be provided for those working on this stretch of the line.
This move was recommended by the HS2 company itself and has subsequently gained government backing, with the latest investigations finding 95 per cent of the elements of the accelerated programme would offer a high level of value for money.
It also found there would be substantial economic benefits, half of them going directly to firms that would benefit from being able to transport people and goods faster.
The second phase of HS2 will eventually link London and Birmingham with Crewe, Manchester and Wigan via the western arm of the Y-shaped route, with the eastern arm serving the Nottingham-Derby area, Sheffield and Leeds.
