Summary The National Infrastructure Commission has now published its Rail Needs Assessment for the Midlands and the North. With the HS2 Phase 2a Bill nearing completion of its passage through Parliament, this blog considers the future of the Western and Eastern legs of HS2 Phase 2b in the light of the NIC’s Assessment. On Monday 14 th December the House of Lords completed its consideration of the High Speed (West Midlands – Crewe) Bill, the Phase 2a Bill. The House of Commons will now consider the amendments to the Bill made in the Lords and if it disagrees with any of them there will be final ‘ping-pong’ between the Houses and the Bill will then receive Royal Assent. Phase 2a is the relatively uncontentious part of Phase 2, to continue the railway authorised by the High Speed (London - West Midlands) Act northwards to Crewe.