HS2 Route: £50bn Project Under Fire

A controversial high-speed rail project has come under fire from MPs who warned costs on the scheme continue to rocket. The Public Accounts Committee also cast a question mark over the expected benefits hailed by supporters of the £50 billion HS2 project – which is planned to link London with Birmingham, Manchester and Leeds – such as claims it would boost regional economies and not just the capital.

The MPs hit out at the Department of Transport, claiming it had not produced a “convincing strategic case” for HS2, and said its assessment was based on “fragile numbers, out-of-date data and assumptions which do not reflect real life”. The committee also cast doubt on whether necessary legislation for the project would be secured by 2015 as officials claimed, and voiced concern about gaps in expertise among the HS2 teams. But Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin rejected the findings, and said: “The project will free up vital space on our railways for passengers and freight, generate hundreds of thousands of jobs and deliver better connections between our towns and cities. HS2 is a vital part of our plan to give Britain the transport infrastructure it needs to compete.”

If you are affected by HS2, contact our property dispute resolution team to talk about your options, which could include a claim for HS2 compensation. Call 01895 207988 or email propertydisputes@ibblaw.co.uk.