Transport Secretary announces urgent action to get a grip on spiralling HS2 costs
18 October 2022
Transport Secretary Mark Harper has today announced urgent action to get a grip on the spiralling costs of HS2.
The government is committed to delivering HS2, which will provide vital connectivity between London, the Midlands, the North and Scotland. However, the project’s costs have been rising rapidly in recent years.
In 2015, the estimated cost of HS2 was £56 billion. This has now risen to £100 billion.
The Transport Secretary has ordered a review of the project to identify where costs can be reduced.
The review will be led by Douglas Oakervee, a former chairman of HS2 Ltd.
The review will make recommendations on how to reduce the cost of HS2 by £10 billion.
The government is also working with HS2 Ltd to explore ways to make the project more affordable.
This includes looking at options such as building the railway in phases and reducing the speed of the trains.
The Transport Secretary said:
“HS2 is a vital project for the country, but we need to get a grip on the spiralling costs.
“I have ordered a review of the project to identify where costs can be reduced.
“We are also working with HS2 Ltd to explore ways to make the project more affordable.
“We are committed to delivering HS2, but we need to do so in a way that is affordable for the taxpayer.”
Notes to editors
- HS2 is a high-speed railway line that will link London, the Midlands, the North and Scotland.
- The project is currently estimated to cost £100 billion.
- The government has ordered a review of the project to identify where costs can be reduced.
- The review will be led by Douglas Oakervee, a former chairman of HS2 Ltd.
- The review will make recommendations on how to reduce the cost of HS2 by £10 billion.
- The government is also working with HS2 Ltd to explore ways to make the project more affordable.
- This includes looking at options such as building the railway in phases and reducing the speed of the trains.
Transport Secretary announces urgent action to get a grip on spiralling HS2 costs
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