Transport Secretary hints HS2 could be SCRAPPED as Government actively studies alternatives
TRANSPORT Secretary Grant Shapps revealed the government is actively studying alternatives to HS2 in the strongest sign the 250mph rail line is set to be scrapped.
A row erupted over the largest infrastructure project in Europe after a leaked report revealed the cost of the line could balloon to over £106bn.
But the minister said he would make a final decision next month as rival groups of Tory MPs lobby the PM over the decision.
Mr Shapps said: "Now we are actually pulling in the rest of the data to see what are the other alternatives in terms of cost and what capacity it would bring us.
“We will be making that decision in February along with the Prime Minister and the Chancellor.”
He added it was essential to get the facts right before embarking on “maybe the biggest infrastructure project, certainly in Europe, and the biggest this country’s ever taken, certainly in peacetime”.
In PMQs Boris Johnson, replying to whether HS2 and Northern Powerhouse Rail would be going ahead, said: “We are already investing a record £48billion in rail services, excluding HS2.
“It is right that we should look at the value that this country could get from a scheme as costly as HS2, with estimates now rising to £100billion.”
The leaked Douglas Oakervee review is set to recommend that the first section of the line from London to Birmingham should go ahead.
most read in uk news
But it will suggest pausing the second part of the line which will split from Birmingham to Manchester and Leeds.
At least 30 MPs, including former international development secretary Andrew Mitchell, signed a joint letter on Tuesday night calling for the “long overdue” rail line.“
The letter, seen by the Guardian, added: “Abandoning the project would leave the north reliant on aged Victorian infrastructure.”
- GOT a story? RING The Sun on 0207 782 4104 or WHATSAPP on 07423720250 or EMAIL [email protected]