HS2 at risk of cuts as budgeting concerns become apparent

The multi-billion HS2 rail project to further connect the North and South of England has been a symbol of the governments commitment to levelling up city’s throughout the country. However, with leaked documents pointing to plans of axing the Birmingham to Manchester leg of the route in a bid to save £35bn, many are concerned the new rail line might be stopped dead in its tracks.

An official spokesman for the Prime Minister said that, “spades are already in the ground on our HS2 programme and we’re focused on delivering it. I can’t comment on speculation around a leaked document. It is obviously standard process for departments to discuss the phasing of major projects like HS2.”

Although little is yet known about what cuts to the construction of HS2 might look like, the leak still provoked anger. The Greater Manchester mayor, Andy Burnham, tweeted: “The southern half of England gets a modern rail system and the North left with Victorian infrastructure. Levelling up? My a##e.”

Responding to reports that phase two of HS2 may be scrapped, Muniya Barua, deputy chief executive at BusinessLDN, said: “It is unthinkable that the UK would build a new north-south railway and stop halfway. As with the delay to Euston, pausing or pulling funding from the northern leg will only add cost in the long-run.

“The railway needs to be built and the longer we leave it the more expensive it will be. With shovels in the ground, ministers should put an end to the political prevarication that risks depriving communities and businesses of the benefits that HS2 should bring. The long-term economic interests of the UK should outweigh short-term political targets.”

On the potential economic benefits of fulfilling HS2, a High Speed Rail Group spokesperson said, “the gaps between affluence and deprivation shrink as the distances between our towns and cities close. High speed rail is levelling up in action, and it should be at the heart of the Government’s drive to improve prosperity and wellbeing throughout the country.”

By Mark Adair – Correspondent, Bdaily

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