HS2 now ‘very poor value for money’ after northern leg scrapped, MPs say
The government’s plan to build HS2 between London and Birmingham will be “very poor value for money” after the northern leg to Manchester was scrapped, according to a report from parliament’s spending watchdog. The Public Accounts Committee (PAC), which scrutinises government spending, found there are “many uncertainties” in the assessment that it was better to […]
‘Knee-jerk’ decision to scrap HS2 second leg ‘a mistake’, government’s infrastructure adviser says
The decision to scrap the second leg of HS2 to Manchester was a “mistake”, the government’s independent infrastructure adviser has said. Sir John Armitt, chair of the National Infrastructure Commission, told the BBC this morning that the decision to cut back on HS2 was a “sort of knee-jerk, snap reaction”. He said: “I think it’s […]
Conservative mayor could resign over HS2 decision after vowing not to give up rail link ‘without a fight’
Grant Shapps has officially confirmed that Rishi Sunak will make an announcement about HS2 during his speech to Conservative conference as fears build that the decision could trigger the Conservative mayor of the West Midlands, Andy Street, to resign from the party. Speaking during a broadcast interview Grant Shapps said listeners could be “pretty confident” […]
Sunak refuses to be ‘rushed’ on HS2, says he will not be ‘forced into premature decision’
Rishi Sunak has said this morning that he wants to make the “right decision for the country” on HS2 as he insisted ministers would not be “rushed” on the subject. Multiple outlets are reporting Sunak has decided to axe the line and will make an announcement in his keynote speech at conference tomorrow. Number 10 […]
Jeremy Hunt ‘considering’ the future of HS2 as Labour mayors urge ministers to back project
Jeremy Hunt is “considering” the future of HS2, culture secretary Lucy Frazer has said this morning. Amid reports that suggest the Birmingham to Manchester section of HS2 could be scrapped, Frazer explained that chancellors “always” consider the cost of major infrastructure projects “to the public purse”. Asked on Times Radio if HS2 was a “national […]
PM remains ‘committed to levelling up’ but refuses to comment on HS2 ‘speculation’
Rishi Sunak has refused to commit to building HS2 to Manchester but insisted that the government is committed to levelling up transport infrastructure across the country. When asked about reports that HS2 will no longer go to Manchester, Mr Sunak said: “I’m not going to comment on that type of speculation.” The Prime Minister told […]
Rishi Sunak told abandoning HS2’s second phase would be a ‘real tragedy’
The prime minister has been warned that abandoning HS2’s second leg would be a “mistake” and a “tragedy” amid reports the government is poised to scrap the line’s second stage. HS2 is intended to greatly reduce north-south intercity journey times, while releasing capacity for local train services on existing lines. The project is expected to […]
Transport secretary told HS2 decision an ‘outrageous attempt to avoid scrutiny’
The government has been criticised in the commons for the way in which the HS2 delay was announced. The high-speed railway was initially set to link London and the West Midlands with a further phase extending to cities in the North. However, in a written statement, transport secretary Mark Harper said the project was making […]
Burnham: ‘We can do better’ on Integrated Rail Plan
Andy Burnham has warned the government that its Integrated Rail Plan ‘isn’t as good as it can be’.
Why pandemic must not pause rail investment
Speaking in parliament in May earlier this year, the transport secretary Grant Shapps said: “Not two World Wars, not recessions and depressions, not the Spanish Flu… have stopped the inexorable growth of the railways.” It may seem to some to be overly optimistic to say this right now, but as we get to grips with […]
