HS2 work to start in weeks as line gets green light

THE construction of HS2 could begin in spring after the £22billion high-speed rail line from London to Birmingham got the go-ahead yesterday.

A Parliamentary Bill on the controversial scheme, one of Britain’s biggest infrastructure projects, had more than three years of scrutiny – including a failed 11th-hour bid to block it in the House of Lords last month.

Transport Secretary Chris Grayling said getting the legislation through Parliament had been ‘long and arduous’.

But he insisted it would be a ‘massive boost’ to Britain’s prosperity, adding: ‘HS2 will be the world’s most advanced passenger railway and the backbone of our rail network.’

Ministers expect to triple the

‘This is a very sad day’

number of rush-hour seats on the London to Birmingham route from 11,000 to 30,000.

Most intercity trains will run on the 225mph HS2 network, allowing more commuter services on the West Coast line.

But critics argue that the Government has exaggerated the benefits, and that many of the trains will be half empty.

Cheryl Gillan, Tory MP for Amersham in Buckinghamshire, said: ‘This is a very sad day for people whose lives, businesses and homes will be affected by the project – and it’s a sad day for taxpayers who will be paying through the nose.

‘We don’t know what the risks are to the public purse. I don’t think this project will deliver what has been promised.’

The entire scheme, which will eventually include Leeds and Crewe, is expected to cost £56billion. But the TaxPayers’ Alliance warns it could cost almost £100billion if costs overrun.