HS2 to 'include Sheffield city centre station'

The planned route of the high speed rail line into Yorkshire is to be changed - to include a station in Sheffield city centre - according to reports.

Originally the HS2 station would have been based outside the city - at Meadowhall. But campaigners said that left Sheffield without a suitable high speed link. Rail bosses have confirmed they're looking at revising the plans, but refuse to give any further details.

Meanwhile, the HS2 project is under financial strain and could be delayed by a year, according to the Government spending watchdog, The National Audit Office .

It has warned that the 2026 target date for opening phase one between London and the West Midlands is "at risk". It says cost forecasts for phase one exceed available funding by £204 million, while phase two - taking the line to north-east and north-west England - contains some elements that are "currently unfunded".

But Transport Minister Robert Goodwill insisted that HS2 is "on track" despite the NAO warning that the £55.7 billion railway is facing financial pressures.