Government confirms cancellation of HS2 northern leg

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has confirmed that HS2 high-speed rail line from the West Midlands to Manchester is being scrapped.

In his Conservative Party conference speech in Manchester he set out a range of alternative projects largely in the north of England, which he argued offer better value for money and can be delivered more quickly.

“Today we are announcing some changes on our approach to HS2,” he said. “We will deliver HS2 between Birmingham and Euston as planned but we will extend it no further.

“Instead we will take every pound that would have been spent extending HS2 and invest over £36 billion into Network North – a new programme of transport improvements that will benefit far more people, in far more places, far quicker.

The Prime Minister said HS2 in the north would be replaced by a new project Network North, but failed to provide an outline of what it was.

In justifying the decision Sunak said, “Costs for HS2 have more than doubled since forecast – phase one was originally meant to cost £20 billion but latest estimates are up to £45 billion.

“It was supposed to be operational by 2026 and opened in full by 2033, but now the line to Manchester is forecast to be opened in 2041.”

He continued, “And the pandemic has completely changed the way we travel. While road travel has recovered to pre-pandemic levels, train journeys are still down by 20%.”

The Prime Minister said HS2 has prevented investment on the “forms of transport that matter most to people” and pledged that “every region will have as much or more transport investment as a result of this decision”.

“By scrapping it, every penny from the Northern leg of HS2 will go to the North and every penny from the Midlands leg to the Midlands,” the Prime Minister said.

“Rather than just connecting Birmingham and Manchester, we will invest £36 billion in hundreds of projects in towns, cities and rural areas across our whole country, and in roads, rail, and buses – investment on a truly unprecedented scale that will drive economic growth and provide jobs.”

In his speech Sunak pledged:

£19.8 billion for the North

“We will invest £19.8 billion in the North on things like connecting its major cities, a new station in Bradford, a new tram for Leeds, new major roads, reopened train lines and an additional £12 billion for better connectivity between Manchester and Liverpool.”

£9.6 billion for the Midlands

“There will be a further £9.6 billion for the Midlands, invested in a new Midlands Rail Hub that will connect 50 stations, major road upgrades, and reopened train lines with new stations.”

£6.5 billion for the rest of the country

“We’ll also invest £6.5 billion across the rest of the country, on schemes like keeping the £2 bus fare until the end of December 2024. Boosting road schemes, upgrading Ely Junction, major rail improvements across the South West and billions to fix potholes in our roads.”

Greater connectivity for Scotland and Wales

“Further funding will be made available to improve connectivity between towns and cities across Scotland and Wales, making it easier for people to access the jobs and services they need quickly, via public transport.”

The government also released a list of projects, although many on the list had been previously announced.

Cancellation of HS2 northern leg has been met with vociferous and unprecedented scorn from business leaders, politicians of all parties, transport professionals and many others. Click here for a selection of the responses