The line is to be built in two phases, first between London and Birmingham, then to Manchester Piccadilly running under Crewe railway station and via Manchester Airport, and to Leeds via the East Midlands and Sheffield Meadowhall.
The line is to be built in two phases, the first being the section between London and Birmingham. The route would then split into two spurs, one continuing to Manchester Piccadilly running under Crewe railway station and Manchester Airport and the other to Leeds via the East Midlands and Sheffield Meadowhall.