HS2 Northern beset by spiralling prices and delays could possibly be axed

Downing Street has refused to ensure HS2 will run to Manchester following experiences Rishi Sunak and Jeremy Hunt might scrap the undertaking’s second section.

The Northern leg of the excessive pace rail line is beset by spiralling prices and delays.

The Prime Minister’s official spokesman mentioned, “spades are already in the ground on our HS2 programme and we’re focused on delivering it”, however wouldn’t promise the road will proceed north of the Midlands.

A newspaper reported {that a} leaked ­doc appeared to point out £2.3billion has already been spent on stage two of the road from Birmingham to Manchester however as much as £35billion could possibly be saved by ­scrapping it.

There are additionally issues about ­the environmental impression of the undertaking, meant to hyperlink London, the Midlands and the North of England.

Tory MP Simon Clarke mentioned: “We should 100 per cent scrap phase two.” He blasted the associated fee overruns, including that journey patterns after Covid made “the case clear”.

John O’Connell, of the TaxPayers’ Alliance, mentioned: “It’s been clear since day one this project was going to come off the rails.”

The preliminary opening date of 2026 has been shunted again to 2033, whereas price ­estimates for the undertaking have spiralled from round £33billion in 2010 to £71billion in 2019.

Former Chancellor George Osborne mentioned ditching the road can be a “mistake”. He added: “HS2 will transform connectivity ­to the North of England. And ­it would be a real, real ­tragedy if this government abandoned it.”

Henri Murison, CEO of the Northern Powerhouse Partnership, mentioned it “makes no sense to stop now”.