Boris: We’re in a hole with HS2... so let’s keep digging

BORIS Johnson yesterday gave his strongest hint yet that he will approve the troubled HS2 rail project, saying the only solution was to ‘keep digging’.

Downing Street would not comment about the outcome of a summit on Thursday night on the future of the £100billion scheme involving the Prime Minister, Chancellor Sajid Javid and Transport Secretary Grant Shapps.

But Mr Johnson appeared to reveal his intentions during an interview with tenyearold reporter Braydon Brent during a recording of children’s show FYI on Sky.

He conceded that the Government was ‘in a hole’ over HS2, which has split the Cabinet and seen its budget almost treble. But he said the only solution was to ‘keep digging’. Mr Johnson condemned the ‘profligate’ nature of the scheme to date, saying: ‘They just wasted money. And the whole way it was managed was hopeless.

‘So we’re in a hole, we’re in a mess. But we’ve got to get out of it.’ He added: ‘It’s a hole the size of HS2. The only thing to do is keep digging. That’s what you’ve got to do. It’s a big hole.’ Earlier this week it emerged that Mr Javid has concluded that none of the alternatives for improving North-South infrastructure would deliver the same benefits.

A copy of the official review of HS2, leaked to the BBC yesterday, is said to ‘strongly advise against cancelling’ the project. The review, led by former HS2 chairman Douglas Oakervee, highlighted a ‘considerable risk’ that the scheme might need more money than the current official estimate of £88billion. Costs are already expected to exceed £100billion.

Meanwhile, BBC Springwatch host Chris Packham has threatened legal action against HS2 over the destruction of woodlands along the route. He has written to ministers calling for an immediate halt to construction until a decision on the project’s future is made. He said it is ‘utter madness’ that developers are continuing to turf up prized natural habitats.

In September, developers agreed to stop cutting down ancient woodland along the first phase from London to Birmingham. However, Mr Packham claims HS2 has continued to destroy many other habitats.

‘We’ve got to get out of it’