TSSA welcomes HS2 extension but says more needed 

Rail union TSSA today welcomes progress of HS2 Phase 2b which will extend high speed rail from Crewe to Manchester. But the union, which has members working at the high-speed rail company, calls for greater ambition including extending the high-speed line to Scotland to reach its full potential. 

The High-Speed Rail (Crewe to Manchester) Bill has been laid before parliament today (Monday 24 January 2022) outlining plans for new track and stations which will cut travel time between London and Manchester by 55minutes and reduce travel time between Birmingham and Manchester by up to 45 minutes. 

Manuel Cortes, TSSA general secretary, said: “High speed rail, public transport and better connectivity must be embraced for Britain to enjoy the economic and climate benefits of clean rail travel. 

“We warmly welcome today’s landmark moment for HS2. This is a vitally important infrastructure project for our country’s future connectivity, prosperity and fight against climate change.  

“To truly benefit from high-speed rail, we again call for the HS2 to go all the way to Scotland and for government to incentivise clean rail travel over other – more polluting – forms of transport, for both passengers and freight. And its eastern-leg must also be reinstated.”