Ministers will not ‘blindly follow’ dated plans for HS2

THE Transport Secretary has added to growing speculation over the future of the eastern leg of HS2, saying ministers will not “blindly follow” plans drawn up almost two decades ago.

In an interview with the Financial Times, Grant Shapps signalled a major rethink of the high-speed rail project between Birmingham and Leeds could be in order. This is the stretch that runs through Derbyshire.

He told the paper: “We want to make sure we get trains to Leeds in a way that actually benefits people on the network and not blindly follow some plan invented 15 to 20 years ago which no longer benefits people.”

Construction work on phase one of the high-speed rail project from London to Birmingham is ongoing.

Phase 2a is planned to run from Birmingham to Crewe, and phase 2b from Crewe to Manchester, and from Birmingham to Leeds.

But after the Governmentcommissioned Oakervee Review warned last year the final bill for HS2 could reach £106 billion at 2019 prices, there were concerns the eastern leg of phase 2b could be scrapped. This was further compounded when the National Infrastructure Commission said in December the focus should be on regional connectivity.

Mr Shapps said the creation of the Northern Powerhouse Rail scheme, which is aimed at connecting cities in the region on an east-west route, should also be taken into account.

He said: “Midlands Rail Hub and Northern Powerhouse Rail are things… they’ve been invented, they hadn’t been when HS2 was first designed. We need to work these things together. Are we doing things in the best way and in the right order?”

Meanwhile, No 10 would not be drawn on when a plan for rail in the North and Midlands – which is expected to set out the future of HS2 – would be released.

The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: “We’ll set out exactly how major rail projects such as HS2 phase 2b and other projects such as Northern Powerhouse Rail will work together to deliver the reliable train services passengers of North and Midlands need and deserve.”

Shadow transport secretary Jim McMahon called Mr Shapps’ comments “insulting”.