The government has previously said that the London-to-Birmingham link would be followed by a second phase of the Y-shaped route reaching Manchester and Leeds by about 2033.

BBC: HS2 compensation to be 'comprehensive'

The second phase, north from Birmingham in a Y-shaped extension to Manchester and Leeds, could be operational by about 2032-33.

BBC: HS2 ruling 'a victory' despite unlawful compensation move