Oh, HS3 planned to be completed by 2026, not in 20 years.
Are you sure? That would make it HS2.
If HS2 doesn't go via the busiest (Manchester) and second busiest (Birmingham) intercity cities to remove their traffic from the busiest mix use railway on the planet, where would it go if you intended to remove intercity trains of that railway?
Look at a map, it's one hell of a dog leg. Surely Birmingham should be on a spur? The capacity crunch on the WCML will be at the southern end (London-Rugby).