BRITAIN’S flagship high speed rail project WILL reach Euston eventually, Rishi Sunak insisted today.
Speaking to senior MPs at the Commons Liaison Committee, the PM insisted there’s nothing “ambiguous” about the final termination point for HS2.
Rishi Sunak today insisted HS2 WILL reach Euston eventually
Rishi Sunak was grilled by senior MPs on a range of topics, including HS2, at the Liaison Committee today
It comes as just days ago Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove said the shambolic project might never reach central London.
Contradicting his colleague, a defiant Mr Sunak said: “It shouldn’t be ambiguous.
“The aim is to deliver that station alongside the rollout to Manchester and to take the time now to get the right deliverability for that particular section.”
Earlier this month ministers confirmed an exclusive report by Trending In The News that construction of the Birmingham to Crewe leg of HS2 will be delayed by two years.
In a purported effort to save costs, the government said it is “prioritising” services between Old Oak Common in West London and Birmingham Curzon Street.
Passengers will have to resort to an extra half hour ride on the Elizabeth Line until the final phase of the multi-billion pound project is completed.
Defending the delay, the PM said: “I think it’s important that we get the big infrastructure projects right, that we do them properly. They cost a lot of money. It’s reasonable that we make sure they’re going to be done on budget.
“We’re taking the time to make sure it can be delivered within budget and, given inflationary pressures, it’s important we get that right.”
On Sunday top cabinet minister Mr Gove indicated it was still up in the air if Euston would ever go ahead.
“There is a debate about whether or not it should be Old Oak Common or Euston,” he told Channel 4.
“Old Oak Common is going to be a major area for regeneration.
“I don’t know what the final decision will be about where the terminus is.”
The National Audit Office watchdog has warned for years how the pricy project could run dangerously over budget, and is far more complex than first thought.
The new 10-platform plan is now £400million more expensive than the previous 11-platform plan, they said.
And the two-year pause – blamed on soaring inflation – will see spending deferred in the short term but lead to more costs later down the line.
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