HS2 routes could be SCRAPPED in crushing blow for Northern commuters

THOUSANDS of Northern commuters face dismay today as Boris Johnson prepares to scrap a key part of the HS2 route. The eastern leg of the high speed line connecting Leeds with Birmingham is expected to be junked as part of a major railway shakeup. Transport Secretary Grant Shapps will soften the blow with a £96billion rail improvement package to upgrade services in the North. HS2 has shattered its budget and set to stretch into the hundreds of billions while also being behind schedule. The ultra-fast trains were originally meant to connect London with Birmingham, Manchester and Leeds to help bring opportunity and wealth to left-behind areas. Mr Shapps is today expected to confirm high speed lines between Crewe and Manchester and Birmingham to Nottingham, rather than all the way to Leeds. There will be a "Northern Powerhouse Rail line" between Leeds and Manchester - half of which will be high speed and half upgrades to existing routes. Mr Johnson is travelling to Yorkshire this morning to launch the plans - and was snapped running for a train. Read more: Misery for thousands of commuters as Boris Johnson SCRAPS key part of HS2 route with full details today https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/politics/16772178/misery-as-key-part-of-hs2-route-scrapped/ The Sun newspaper brings you the latest breaking news videos and explainers from the UK and around the world Become a Sun Subscriber and hit the bell to be the first to know Read The Sun: http://www.thesun.co.uk Like The Sun on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thesun/ Follow The Sun on Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheSun Subscribe to The Sun on Snapchat: https://www.snapchat.com/discover/The_Sun/1633225139 #HS2 #DominicRaab