Transport Secretary Mark Harper has defended the Government’s decision to axe the northern leg of HS2.
Following surging costs, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced the Birmingham to Manchester route would not go ahead to save £36billion to plough into other transport projects around the country.
The news sparked heavy criticism with former Prime Minister David Cameron saying the decision was “the wrong one” and added “in years to come I suspect many will look back at today’s announcement and wonder how this once-in-a-generation opportunity was lost.”
Boris Johnson endorsed Mr Cameron’s message, simply saying “I agree.”
Amid the backlash, the Transport Secretary said the Government was “happy to be judged” on its position on HS2 and its pledges to spend the money elsewhere.
The Cabinet minister denied there was “anything ambiguous at all” about the stance when asked about accusations that apparent pledges were watered down or dropped altogether a day after they were announced.
“I don’t think there is anything ambiguous at all,” he told Sky News’s Trevor Phillips On Sunday programme.
“We’ve taken every penny of the savings from HS2 - £36billion - and we’ve set out how they’re going to be spent in the parts of the country where HS2 was going to be spent... I think it’s very clear, and happy to be judged on it.”
In one case, Mr Harper said ministers will “develop the business case” for restoring the Leamside Line in the North East despite the Government last week saying it would be reopened.
Pressed on the decision over the northern leg of HS2 during the week, Mr Sunak insisted that “what we’re doing is going to be better for our country”, and that the saved money will “be reinvested in every form of transportation, not just heavy rail. and in every part of our country.”
The Prime Minister has also signalled that the Euston terminal for the high-speed rail line may not go ahead if the Government is unable to raise enough private sector money to fund it.
Mr Sunak has pledged to “create a new Euston development zone, building thousands of new homes for the next generation of homeowners, new business opportunities and a station that delivers the capacity we need”.
Sadiq Khan has since written to Mr Sunak for clarification over the future of the Euston terminal.
Mr Khan said he was worried about the plan to use private sector investment to fund the completion of the Euston terminus, with the mayor pointing out that it is expected to cost £6.5billion, “and potentially more for the tunnel link to Old Oak Common”.
He said this seemed like “wishful thinking”, given “current challenges in the British economy”.
Plans for pedestrian tunnel linking Euston Station with the nearby Euston Square station has also been scrapped, something Mr Khan said was “vital”.
Mr Khan wrote: “HS2’s own figures show 85 per cent of their passengers arriving at Euston then need to use the Underground to continue their journey which will overwhelm the existing LU [London Underground] connections.
“I am deeply concerned that your recent announcement will leave the Euston terminus of HS2 a distant hope, resulting in a line which ends at Old Oak Common for decades, if not permanently, in what would be a devastating blow for passengers using the line and for the economy of London and the whole country.”
