Half of the land needed to build HS2 north of Birmingham has already been bought at a cost of millions
It has meant doubts have now started to appear that the Prime Minister will be able to push ahead with his plans to scrap future phases of the rail line, particularly as it will result in people being kicked out of their homes for nothing just before an election.
Experts have pointed out that without building phase 2b to Manchester, the necessary high speed infrastructure will not be in place to deliver the east to west rail line promised in the north, called Northern Powerhouse Rail that is expected to run from Liverpool to Hull.
Tory MPs representing seats in the North have already criticised the Prime Minister’s handling of the situation, having failed to sound out any of his backbench colleagues over his plans.Home Office minister Chris Philp insisted on Tuesday that no decision has been made on whether to axe or delay the rail project’s northern leg amid widespread criticism.
A growing number of senior Conservatives, as well as leaders in the North, have been warning the Prime Minister against scrapping the Birmingham to Manchester route. Mr Philp said the Prime Minister and Chancellor Jeremy Hunt are reviewing the project now the costs have “gone up a lot”.“No decisions have been taken about the remaining stages of HS2 but I do know the Chancellor and the Prime Minister are looking at how the cost can be controlled.”
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