Rail travel HS2 to reach Euston after all but fares will rise 4.6%

HS2 trains will run all the way to Euston after the chancellor committed to funding tunnelling work to the central London station.

- Gwyn Topham

However, it was also announced alongside the budget that rail fares in England would rise by 4.6% in March.

Rachel Reeves said the government would "get a grip" on HS2 between London and Birmingham, and guarantee funds to start work on the 4.5-mile (7km) twin-bore tunnel from Old Oak Common station in north-west London into Euston.

Reeves did not specify the level of public funding the tunnelling work would receive, but the cost has previously been estimated at about £1bn.

Reeves said the transport secretary, Louise Haigh, had "set out a plan of how to get a grip of HS2".

The chancellor said: "Today we are securing delivery of the project between Old Oak Common and Birmingham, and we are committing the funding required to begin tunnelling work to London Euston station."