'End HS2 misery now', says MP after delay revealed
The "misery" caused by HS2 must end now, an MP said today, after it was revealed phase one of the line could be delayed by up to five years.
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps also admitted the cost of the high-speed line had rocketed from £62 billion to between £81bn and £88bn.
The latest revelations have only increased anger from those opposed to HS2 and concerned about its impact, including Lichfield MP Michael Fabricant.
Boris Johnson has ordered a review of the whole scheme amid concerns over its cost which could see it scrapped completely.
If it does go ahead, phase one is now likely to be ready between 2028 and 2031 after Mr Shapps said the current 2026 timetable was not realistic.
It prompted Mr Fabricant, whose constituency lies in the path of the HS2 line, to label the project a "farce" which needed to end.
He said: "The misery of my constituents needs to end - and end now. The farce that is known as HS2 has gone from bad to worse and even on completion it won't link directly with either Heathrow Airport or the Channel Tunnel.
"Meanwhile, people's properties are being blighted and I have elderly constituents who might have to sell up their homes in order to find room for this misbegotten folly.
"I shall be meeting Douglas Oakervee, who will be chairing the review, and if nothing else there needs to be a total rethink on how this project is managed and the route and line it will take."
The intervention by the new Transport Secretary was the latest development on HS2 following a turbulent week in which it emerged it could be scrapped altogether despite billions having already been spent.
He said in a message to the House of Commons: "Regarding schedule, the chairman (Allan Cook) does not believe the current schedule of 2026 for initial services on Phase One is realistic.
"In line with lessons from other major transport infrastructure projects, his advice proposes a range of dates for the start of service. He recommends 2028 to 2031 for Phase One - with a staged opening, starting with initial services between London Old Oak Common and Birmingham Curzon Street, followed by services to and from London Euston later. He expects Phase 2b, the full high-speed line to Manchester and Leeds, to open between 2035 and 2040."
He also said costs had been "quoted in 2015 prices" and that updating them meant the price could rise to as much as £88bn.
The Taxpayers Alliance said serious questions now needed to be asked on whether HS2 was worth the money.
Grassroots campaign manager Harry Fone said: "The problems facing the project are an open secret, with massive overruns and official estimates drifting ever upwards, towards our original estimate of around £90 billion.
"As sceptics have suspected all along, HS2 is dangerously close to coming off the rails. The recent review must now ask difficult questions about whether to throw good money after bad and press ahead or not."
Despite the delay and increase in cost, business leaders said they still backed HS2 due to the benefits it will bring to the region.
Tom Thackray, director of infrastructure at the Confederation of British Industry said: "HS2 promises to bring huge economic benefits across the country so today’s announcement of the delay is disappointing. But the message from business on the project remains consistent – build it, back it, benefit from it.
"Of course today’s report may be a clarion call for those anti-HS2 voices but businesses believe derailing the scheme would be a significant economic restraint on the Midlands and The North.”
