The Government is being warned that the High Speed Rail Project linking Manchester and the North to London needs a “realistic timetable” and believe the current schedule is “overly ambitious”.
In its first report since 2013, The House of Commons Public Accounts Committee recognised that considerable progress” had been made since that last report but in a worrying statement for the North, asked the government to clarify the route and costs for the second phase, linking to Manchester and Leeds.
However, says the committee, uncertainty remains over how HS2 will work with the rest of the transport system, for example how it will interact with proposed transport investment in the North of England.
The Report states “a great deal of work is still required” to integrate plans for HS2 with other rail investment proposals and the existing network.
It adds: “Furthermore, greater assurance about sources of funding and finance for regeneration and growth is required to ensure that the promised regional benefits from High Speed 2 materialise.”
Meg Hillier MP, Chair of the PAC, said:
“The Government has promised significant benefits to taxpayers in return for their investment in HS2, expected to run to more than £55 billion.Despite this, Parliament and the public are still in the dark about crucial details – not least when the railway will open, how much it is expected to cost and precisely where it will go.The announcement at the weekend that HS2 Ltd chief executive Simon Kirby is leaving the company adds to the uncertainty enveloping a project on which strong and stable leadership is vital.”
She added that a
Lack of clarity over plans for HS2 in South Yorkshire highlights what is at stake for communities and local economies, and why government must explain its intentions and the basis for its decisions in a transparent manner.The public must be confident the grand vision for HS2 does not blind the Government to the finer points which have implications for many people’s lives now and in the decades to come.Similarly, local authorities must know central government’s intentions to ensure they can plan effectively for regeneration and maximise the potential for growth near HS2 stations.”
Concluding that:
“The Government is due to announce its decision on the 2b route this autumn and we urge it to seize this opportunity to address the concerns set out in our Report.”
