City Scope files / HS2
The promise was a national high-speed railway. The map now shows something simpler: what survived, what was cut, and what was slowed today.
Loading official route data
New damage / 19 May 2026
The latest damage is a downgrade to what remains: a slower railway, later opening, with a bigger bill.
Cut list
The map uses official HS2 route geometry and official records of the removed links.
2015
David Cameron
Removed from the Phase One Bill
The direct link from Old Oak Common to HS1 north of St Pancras was taken out after the 2014 Higgins review.
2021
Boris Johnson
Eastern leg cut back in 2021
The Leeds arm was downgraded under the Integrated Rail Plan.
2022
Boris Johnson
Removed from the Crewe-Manchester Bill
The branch from near Hoo Green to the West Coast Main Line near Golborne was taken out in 2022.
2023
Rishi Sunak
Cancelled in 2023
Phase 2a was removed with the northern rescope.
2023
Rishi Sunak
Manchester leg scrapped
The western Phase 2b leg was cancelled in October 2023.
2026
Keir Starmer
Still being built as the remnant
The official HS2 route from London to the West Midlands remains the project core.
The line changed by governments
2014
Full Y-network and connection promises on the map
2015
HS1-HS2 link removed from the Bill
2021
Eastern leg to Leeds cut back
2022
Golborne Link removed from the Manchester Bill
2023
Crewe and Manchester legs cancelled
2026
Remaining line capped at 320km/h
Sources
Route lines are sourced from the HS2_Route ArcGIS FeatureServer, with the removed HS1-HS2 and Golborne links plotted from official descriptions.
HS2_Route ArcGIS FeatureServer route geometry
HS2 route map and current project scope
House of Commons Library: original HS2 cost and opening estimates
GOV.UK: Integrated Rail Plan 2021
GOV.UK: November 2023 HS2 six-monthly report
GOV.UK: removing the Golborne Link from the HS2 Bill
GOV.UK: impacts of removing the Golborne Link
GOV.UK: amendments for removal of the HS1-HS2 link
GOV.UK: HS1-HS2 link plan and profile maps
Parliament: HS1-HS2 link removed after the Higgins report
Sky News: 19 May 2026 speed, cost and opening reset
ITV News: 19 May 2026 slower trains and delayed opening
GOV.UK: March 2026 speed review
HS2 Ltd: Phase Two cancellation rescoping