Chris Stokes' Column 'Keeping track' on the Cogitamus website delves further into the HS2 story....

From the column...

"Despite phase 2A of HS2, which is critically important if the project is to deliver real benefits to the North, being cancelled, mayors Andy Burnham and Andy Street are leading an initiative to rescue improvements from the ashes of Phase 2.

Chris Stokes comments that " the best hope would be a commitment from a new Labour Government to proceed with Phase 2A which would give real capacity and journey time benefits"