GOVERNMENT transport officials have dismissed reports of work stopping on the eastern leg of the High Speed Two rail line, claiming there has been ‘a misunderstanding’

Several media organisations have reported that the Department for Transport ordered work to stop on the planned section of track between Birmingham and the East Midlands, and onwards to Leeds.

It followed HS2 chief executive Mark Thurston’s appearance before members of the Transport Select Committee last week.

Following a question of the ongoing cost of the project from Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, Mr Thurston said: “We wait to be guided by the Department on what we do with the eastern link.”

The Department for Transport issued a statement on Wednesday afternoon insisting ‘there has been no policy change’.

A spokesperson said the plan for the Eastern leg of HS2 will be covered in the Integrated Rail Plan.

The spokesperson said the Government remained committed ‘enabling the East Midlands, Yorkshire and the North East to reap the benefits of high-speed rail services’.

A DfT spokesperson said: “The Integrated Rail Plan will soon outline exactly how major rail projects, including HS2 phase 2b and other transformational projects such as Northern Powerhouse Rail, will work together to deliver the reliable train services that passengers across the North and Midlands need and deserve.”