#hs2

#hs2

In a discussion about Heathrow Airport, the Rail Minister, Lord Hendy of Richmond, elaborated on improvements to public transport for the airport and the wider area. Responding to a question about local transport upgrades from Lord Jackson of Peterborough, the Rail Minister confirmed that the promoters of a third runway at Heathrow "will have to address railway connections to Heathrow and not just from the London direction, good though the Elizabeth line is."

The redevelopment of Euston station and the surrounding area could restart in a few years' time, with a tender contract having just gone out for a design and engineering partner to develop the plans for the site. First signalled in June's UK-wide infrastructure strategy, a new Euston Delivery Company (EDC) was being set up to deliver the Euston station rebuild as well as the oversite development that will help pay for it.

The Duchy of Lancaster negotiated payments totalling 1,132,400 by selling land for road works near a proposed hub station in Crewe, Cheshire in a deal that has emerged despite the organisation's assertion that it is completely self-financing and does not rely on taxpayers' money. The duchy which has been controlled by reigning monarchs since medieval times and exists to provide them with a private income acquired a sprawling, 1,400-hectare (3,450-acre) estate set around the Jacobean mansion of Crewe Hall in 1936.

Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander is expected to announce in Parliament that HS2 will not meet its target date of 2033 due to cost overruns.