The Government is being urged to avoid becoming 'penny wise and pound foolish' after it was confirmed Manchester's HS2 link would be delayed by two years. Transport secretary Mark Harper announced the move tonight (March 9).
He confirmed construction of the Birmingham to Crewe railway line would not begin for a further two years in a bid to cut costs, before the Crewe to Manchester leg could follow in the next phase. But Lord McLoughlin, chair of Transport for the North, is warning the Government it could still see the bill for HS2 rise following the decision.
“This is a disappointing announcement," he said. "But I was reassured by the Transport Secretary that we are still getting HS2 to Manchester, and the recommitment to [the proposed east-west railway] NPR is welcome.
