No HS2 northern leg properties sold - minister

No properties bought up for the northern leg of HS2 have been sold since the project was scrapped, the Department for Transport (DfT) has confirmed.

Phase two of the high-speed rail line linking the West Midlands to Manchester was cancelled by former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak in October, amid rising costs.

Transport minister Lord Peter Hendy of Richmond Hill told the House of Lords he understood no sales had been made.

It came in response to concerns about rail capacity between Handsacre in Staffordshire, where HS2 joins the West Coast Main Line, and Crewe.

Speaking on Tuesday, Lord Hendy said: "The prioritisation of the High Speed Rail (Crewe - Manchester) Bill is recognition that east-west connectivity is immediately necessary for growth, jobs and housing."

He added that the government would "bear in mind" the issue of connectivity north of Handsacre.

A spokesperson for the DfT said: "We're committed to delivering infrastructure that works for the whole country and helps to grow the economy.

"We will thoroughly review the position we have inherited before setting out more detailed plans in due course."

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