Blog: New Birmingham–Manchester rail plans

Following the recent announcement from the Secretary for Transport that there are plans to develop a new railway line between Birmingham and Manchester, this has raised questions for landowners and rural businesses.

As part of the wider Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR) programme, further clarity will be important in answering these questions as plans progress.

There are currently no confirmed details, and any development may not occur until the late 2030’s or even 2040’s.

At this early stage it remains unclear where the new route is likely to run but given that land was previously purchased or safeguarded for HS2, it is widely expected that this could be used. However, changes in planned train speeds or design could offer up alternative options.

This announcement comes against the backdrop of wider NPR development phases, including:

• Upgrades across the Manchester, Sheffield, Hull, Leeds and Newcastle lines (2030’s)
• A new Liverpool–Manchester line (2030’s)
• Cross Pennine upgrades to Manchester (2040’s)

This announcement will create uncertainty for those located along potential future routes, and this could influence decisions around investment, property values, succession planning and long-term business management.

Many are still feeling the effects of the cancelled HS2 phases, and the new proposals highlight the importance of clarity and openness of government when it comes to infrastructure projects.

HS2 compensation claims are also still ongoing for many. It will be important that these are resolved quickly and effectively rather than having to wait for further information on Northern Powerhouse Rail to become available.

The current compensation system was never designed for projects that stretch across multiple decades and we have seen flaws in the Hybrid Bill process used for the Channel Tunnel Rail link and again for HS2. Landowners who have faced disruption and financial losses cannot be left waiting indefinitely.

There may also be legal considerations to work through, particularly where land has been previously acquired or safeguarded for HS2, and whether this can be held indefinitely for a yet to be defined future railway project. This may raise questions about the appropriate processes and the use of existing statutory powers, which will need careful review.

The CLA will continue to work proactively with the Department for Transport to ensure all outstanding HS2 claims are resolved as swiftly as possible, while making sure our members’ interests are fully represented throughout future discussions.

We remain committed to securing greater clarity on timelines, route decisions and compensation reform, and to highlighting the opportunities as well as the challenges facing landowners, rural businesses and local communities in relation to these proposals.

If you have any queries or questions, please contact your local regional office.