A parliamentary report has raised serious concerns over the government's plans for a high speed rail project linking London with Birmingham and, in its second phase, Manchester and Leeds.

The public accounts committee said the government has "not yet presented a convincing case" for the 20

-year project, and added:

The department has yet to demonstrate that this is the best way to spend £50bn on rail investment in these constrained times, that this is the most effective and economic way of responding to future demand patterns, that the figures predicting future demand are robust and credible, and that the improved connectivity between London and regional cities will enhance growth and activity in the regions rather than drawing more activity into London.

Transport secretary Patrick McLoughlin has rejected the findings, insisting that the case for HS2 is "absolutely clear" and that without it, key rail routes would be "overwhelmed" by rising passenger numbers.

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