The axing of HS2’s second leg is likely to mean higher train fares on the west coast mainline from London to Manchester and beyond to reduce demand, according to a report from the government’s spending watchdog.
Rishi Sunak cancelled work on the HS2 high speed railway north of Birmingham last September, citing spiralling costs, and promised to divert the £36bn budget to other transport schemes, including £8bn for filling potholes.
