Ministers facing anger over call for extra £43bn to ‘make the most’ of HS2 Calls for government to scrap the’unaffordable’ high-speed train project

Ministers were warned that the High Speed 2 rail scheme is unaffordable after the infrastructure tsar estimated that they would need to spend an extra £43bn to “make the most” of the controversial project.

“We cannot simply construct a new high speed rail line and leave it at that: to get the biggest bang for our buck we need to think about the whole journey” Sir John Armitt

The government was urged to take a fresh look at HS2 which is officially costed at £56bn, although some estimates say its price tag could reach £80bn.

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The further expenditure of £43bn on upgrading other transport links to the route of HS2 could take spending to more than £100bn.

Plea for extra cash

The call for extra cash was made by Sir John Armitt, the National Infrastructure Commission chairman.

He insisted the sum was not an “unaffordable pipe dream”, but the best way to “make the most of all that HS2 will have to offer”.

But the Tory former Cabinet minister Dame Cheryl Gillan, who opposes HS2, called for a complete re-evaluation of the project.

“I have been saying for a long time it is going to cost far more than the original estimates,” she told i.

“The government need to have a really good hard look at this project and whether it is value for money.”

Supported by main parties

Under the HS2 project, which is supported by the main political parties, 330 miles of track will connect London and Birmingham with spurs to Manchester and Leeds.

But Sir John, the former chief executive of Network Rail, warned extra spending was required because travellers faced “inadequate public transport links” at the end of their journeys.

He wrote in the Sunday Telegraph: “HS2 is the most significant investment in the capacity and connectivity of our transport networks for a generation or more.

“The potential impact could extend 100 years or more, and its upfront costs should be considered in that context.

“But this also means we cannot simply construct a new high speed rail line and leave it at that: to get the biggest bang for our buck we need to think about the whole journey.”



He was echoed by Andy McDonald, the shadow Transport Secretary, who said: “HS2 is a chance to look at our transport network as a whole, from end to end.

“The government must ensure appropriate investment is provided across the system to ensure the maximum benefits from the project are realised.”

Baroness Randerson, Liberal Democrat transport spokeswoman, said: “Costs must urgently be brought under control.”

‘Shunt HS2 into scrapyard’

But Liz Hutchins, Friends of the Earth’s director of campaigns, urged ministers to “shunt HS2 into the scrapyard before it’s too late”.

She said: “The increasingly costly HS2 vanity project is a diversion from the transport investment that is urgently needed to help people travel.”

A spokesman for the Stop HS2 campaign said: “Costings for HS2 have been kept artificially low to try and con gullible politicians that it’s a good idea. But it’s a vast waste of money. It’s time to scrap it before more money is spent on it.”

The Department for Transport said: “We are keeping a tough grip on costs and HS2 is on time and on budget.

“HS2 will become the backbone of our national rail network – creating more seats for passengers, supporting growth and regeneration, and helping us build an economy that works for everyone.”

A National Infrastructure Commission spokesman said: “We need to invest both in our intercity links and in urban networks which is why we have proposed devolving powers and funding to cities across the country helping to improve local transport connections.

“This, on top of HS2, Northern Powerhouse Rail and Crossrail 2 in London will help boost economic growth.”