There's been a new move in the long-running HS2 saga with Transport Secretary, Mark Harper, visiting part of the network.

In March, Nub News reported the government confirmed the HS2 line between Birmingham and Crewe was to be delayed by two years.

In a written statement, Transport secretary Mark Harper said: "The government remains fully committed to delivering HS2 from Euston to Manchester.

Transport secretary, Mark Harper, says the government remains 'fully committed to delivering HS2 from London Euston to Manchester, via Crewe (Wikimedia Commons).

"However, in recognition of inflationary pressures and to help balance the nation's books, the next two years will be used to re-phase construction and optimise future delivery of Phase 2a between Birmingham and Crewe so this is done in the most cost-effective way.

"This aims to deliver high-speed services to Crewe and the North West as soon as possible after accounting for the rephasing of construction."

On Monday (July 17), Mr Harper was in the West Midlands with his Australian counterpart, Catherine King, to see the construction of HS2's new Curzon Street station taking shape in Birmingham. 

In the next decade, the new station will welcome high-speed services into the heart of Birmingham city centre.

This will increase the capacity of the rail network, connecting cities and towns across the West Midlands and beyond. 

A Department for Transport spokesperson said: "Even now, the project is already delivering huge benefits across the Midlands and the North.

In the next decade, Birmingham's new Curzon Street station will welcome high-speed services into the heart of Birmingham city centre (HS2).

"The construction of Curzon Street Station alone will create over 1,000 jobs, including 100 new apprenticeships and a 'Restart' scheme to support unemployed people.

"Even more jobs will be supported and created as work will continue to ramp up across the region in the years to come, with the HS2 Interchange Station set to be built in Solihull."

Once built, HS2's Curzon Street Station will be one of the most environmentally friendly stations in the world and eventually welcome nine high-speed services per hour into the city centre.

With seven terminal platforms, it will form part of HS2's opening phase, with the first services expected to run from West London into the station by 2033, serving around 25,000 passengers a day.

Transport Secretary Mark Harper said: "The fantastic city of Birmingham is a hive of construction, with HS2 supporting thousands of high-skilled jobs and apprenticeships, as we gear up to bring its services into the city centre over the next decade. 

"As Europe's largest infrastructure project, HS2 is being recognised globally and, alongside the Australian Transport Minister today, I take great pride in seeing this once-in-a-generation opportunity come to life, which will better connect our regions and grow the economy for years to come."

HS2 phase 2a will travel between Birmingham Curzon Street and Crewe (HS2).

Mr Harper's visit comes as HS2 Ltd prepares to carry out the UK's heaviest bridge drive to install a box structure beneath the West Coast Main Line near Lichfield.

The 6,200-tonne structure, which has been built over the last six months, will allow the high-speed railway to pass beneath the main line.

It will be slowly moved into place on the back of a transporter vehicle.

READ MORE: Crewe Alex set to launch new away kit with 'special' event at town centre venue.

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