An influential rail industry group has called for HS2 to be extended from Birmingham to Crewe amid a raft of recommendations for the struggling transport project.
High Speed Rail Group has made what it is calling a "cost efficient and deliverable path forward" ahead of the Treasury's upcoming Spending Review which it hopes will see future possible phases of the project protected.
Chief among those is extending the HS2 line from its current planned terminal in the West Midlands to Crewe in Cheshire.
Previously known as phase 2a, this was scrapped by then Prime Minister Rishi Sunak in 2023 along with the other extensions from Birmingham to the East Midlands and from Crewe to Manchester's airport and city centre.
Work currently under way will see HS2 run from central London to Birmingham from where trains will travel north on new tracks to join the existing West Coast Main Line in Handsacre, near Lichfield.
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Four new stations are under construction at Euston and Old Oak Common in London, Interchange in Solihull near Birmingham Airport and Curzon Street in Birmingham city centre.
High Speed Rail Group aims to advance the º£½ÇÊÓƵ's rail infrastructure, with a particular focus on high-speed and new rail systems, and comprises representatives from engineering firms, planners and designers.
Its submission to the Treasury centres on six key recommendations. It calls for HS2 to have a 'Euston to Crewe core' which it says would act as a key driver of economic growth while providing "additional and urgently needed national transport capacity between London, the West Midlands and the North West".
It wants to 'un-freeze' the planned connection from the West Midlands to Crewe without which HS2 will not relieve pressure on the West Coast Main Line at what the group calls its biggest pinch point.
Thirdly, High Speed Rail Group wants the Department for Transport to fund and deliver a scaled-back Euston Station with six platforms – but with the option for future expansion retained – which it claims could result in savings of up to £4 billion.
The group wants the Government to undertake a preliminary market assessment to explore financial payback options for HS2 infrastructure investment.
Read more: HS2 'beyond saving' and now poses risk to º£½ÇÊÓƵ's reputation, say MPs
It is also seeking the extension of safeguards and the completion of land acquisitions for the HS2 line between the West Midlands and Crewe.
Finally, it says the Government should be looking further ahead to develop a long-term vision for the national rail network which will help to ensure potential future extensions of HS2 can be accommodated without excessive disruption.
"High Speed Rail Group firmly believes it remains possible to deliver HS2 in a realistic and financially responsible manner while ensuring that the project's contribution to the growth of the national economy is delivered," it said in a statement.
Chairwoman Dyan Perry said: "HS2 is at a crossroads. If delivered correctly, it will unlock national transport capacity, generate a multibillion-pound return to the Treasury, drive economic growth across the º£½ÇÊÓƵ and enhance regional connectivity.
"However, if cut short, the Government risks wasting substantial investments to date, short-changing the national account and squandering HS2's far reaching socio-economic benefits.
"HS2 has already stimulated significant investment in the º£½ÇÊÓƵ's supply chain, workforce skills and infrastructure expertise to name just a few benefits.
"To secure the long-term advantages of a modern, high-speed rail network, we strongly urge the Government to adopt our recommendations and take decisive action to restore financial control and accelerate delivery.
"By investing in our infrastructure now, we set the º£½ÇÊÓƵ up for long term growth and economic success."
A Department for Transport spokesperson said: "Transport is an essential part of our mission to rebuild Britain and drive economic growth.
"We are absolutely committed to improving rail connectivity across the Midlands and the North and working with local leaders and industry groups to do so. We are currently reviewing the position we have inherited on HS2 and will set out next steps in due course."
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