HS2 rumours say Leeds leg could be lopped off

The eastern leg of HS2 to Leeds could still be scrapped, according to leaked reports. The Department for Transport has denied that a decision has been made, despite sources saying that it was keen to scrap the eastern leg to save £40bn on a route that would not be “built in our lifetimes”. The DfT said that the much-delayed integrated rail plan would be published “soon”, outlining the way ahead for major rail projects. That will include HS2 phase B, which was supposed to contain the western leg to Manchester and the eastern route to Leeds. Leeds station is currently the busiest in the north, and is a notorious bottleneck. HS2 was supposed to include a new station in the city. The Guardian Image from HS2 Ltd