UK Prime Minister cancels the ‘rest of HS2’

UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has cancelled “the rest of the HS2 project” during a conference in Manchester, UK.

Parts of the UK's HS2 high-speed railway will now not be built (Photo: AdobeStock)

This now means that everything outside the London to Birmingham leg, which is already under construction, will now be axed.

Addressing the audience in Manchester, Sunak now says “we will reinvest every single penny” saved from HS2 – estimated to be around £36 billion – in hundreds of new transport projects across the rest of the country.

“Every region outside of London will receive the same or more government investment than they would have done under HS2, with quicker results,” Sunak adds.

Stu McInroy, Chief Executive of the Construction Plant-hire Association (CPA) called the news of the cancelled Manchester line, “a significant blow to the UK construction sector.”

He added that, “This decision shall undoubtedly further undermine confidence and impact future investment at a time when the economy remains fragile.”

Despite the cancellation of the extended line, Sunak says HS2 will travel all the way to Euston station in London, in line with the initial plan. However, HS2 management will no longer run the project there.

Mark Reynolds, Mace Group Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, added some of his thoughts on the Euston project, “HS2 will not deliver the growth and capacity we need without it terminating in central London – and so it is positive news for the country and the industry that the Prime Minister has committed once again to build the new station at Euston, working with the private sector to find a solution that works for everyone.

“His proposed Euston business and development zone may work, but the detail will be critical. We know there is a deliverable and cost-effective solution to Euston Station that can be built within the existing budget, allowing the station to open much earlier; enabling housing and placemaking to be offered sooner; and most importantly that delivers the best value to the taxpayer.”