Sarah Green, MP for Chesham and Amersham, has reiterated her calls for HS2 to be scrapped after a new report found construction delays will increase costs.
In a National Audit Office report on the Euston section of the line, published on March 27, it was found that “the impact of deferring spending on the HS2 programme in the short term will be additional costs and could lead to an overall increase in spend in the long term”.
The report followed the announcement on March 9 that the construction of the high-speed railway between Old Oak Common, Euston and the north of Birmingham would be delayed by two years to counter inflation.
Sarah Green MP has expressed concern surrounding the growing costs of the Euston portion of the line.
She said: “The government’s latest attempt to tame this out-of-control project will add, not reduce the cost to the taxpayer.
“Today’s report makes it clearer than ever that delays will increase the financial burden and draw out the pain caused by HS2. It is time for the government to accept that the only way to get a grip on the costs of HS2 is to scrap the project altogether. This would be the best solution for the country’s finances, for the environment and for affected communities.”
A Department for Transport (DfT) spokesperson said: “We remain committed to delivering HS2 from Euston to Manchester in a way that delivers the best value for money to the taxpayer. That’s why we recently announced we will rephase the Euston section of the project to manage inflationary pressures and work on an affordable design for the station.
“We will carefully consider the recommendations set out by the National Audit Office and will formally respond in due course.”
A spokesperson for HS2 said: “HS2’s London Euston station is one of the most complex parts of the HS2 route, situated in a densely populated residential area and adjacent to a busy operational railway. In line with direction from the government, we are delaying construction of Euston as we develop the scheme further. We are absolutely committed to getting Euston right for the local community, passengers and the taxpayer, and will work with the DfT and other partners working at Euston to develop an affordable and deliverable station.
“HS2’s construction will support thousands of jobs, benefit UK businesses of all sizes, and lay the foundations for the arrival of more new rail services into the next decade and beyond.”
Photo credit: HS2
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