The Perfect Enemy | Politics news - latest: Boris Johnson earns almost £4m in 2023 … - Sky News
May 15, 2024

Politics news – latest: Boris Johnson earns almost £4m in 2023 … – Sky News

Politics news – latest: Boris Johnson earns almost £4m in 2023 …  Sky News

Government confirms Birmingham to Crewe section of HS2 will be delayed by two years

Earlier, we reported that the government was set to announce that construction of certain sections of HS2 will be delayed in an attempt to cut costs (see 14.36 post).

Now the transport secretary has confirmed the news.

In a written statement, Mark Harper said the project was making “good progress” but the Birmingham to Crewe section will see a construction “rephase” by two years.

A delay, in layman’s terms.

“The government is prioritising HS2’s initial services between Old Oak Common in London and Birmingham Curzon Street to provide delivery of passenger benefits as soon as possible,” Mr Harper said.

“We remain committed to delivering HS2 services to Euston, and will address affordability pressures to ensure the overall spending profile is manageable. 

“We will therefore take the time to ensure we have an affordable and deliverable station design, delivering Euston alongside high-speed infrastructure to Manchester. 

“We continue to take the High Speed Rail (Crewe – Manchester) Bill through parliament, and the Crewe-to-Manchester section will also form the foundations for improved rail services in the North through Northern Powerhouse Rail.

“The Government is committed to delivering HS2 Phase 2a between Birmingham and Crewe. 

“We have seen significant inflationary pressure and increased project costs, and so we will rephase construction by two years, with an aim to deliver high-speed services to Crewe and the North West as soon as possible after accounting for the delay in construction. 

“Work continues on progressing commitments made in the Integrated Rail Plan to develop HS2 East, the proposed route for HS2 services between the West and East Midlands, and to consider the most effective way to take HS2 trains to Leeds. 

“HS2 continues to represent a very significant investment into our national infrastructure, levelling up communities right across our country, providing a net-zero alternative to car travel and domestic flights, and training a skilled workforce for the UK’s future construction industry.”

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