Boris ‘backed HS2 seven months ago’
BORIS JOHNSON privately signalled he would give the go-ahead to the HS2 rail link seven months ago, it was claimed last night.
He made clear to West Midlands Mayor Andy Street that phase one would get the green light if he became Tory leader, said a wellplaced source.
It will leave Mr Johnson open to the charge that his public pledge during the leadership contest last July to review the project was just a sham.
Mr Johnson is said to have singnalled his approval during a meeting in June with the Conservative mayor, subject to the review he ordered in August as Prime Minister. The source told The Mail on Sunday: ‘When Boris unveiled the review, he’d already basically given Andy Street the nod over phase one from London to Birmingham. He did say it was pending his promised review on costs, but that was his basic message.’
The review has reportedly concluded that the scheme, linking London with the Midlands and North, should go ahead despite estimated costs soaring to more than £100 billion, three times the original budget.
There is mounting speculation that the Prime Minister is finally about to approve the first phase. His announcement may be coupled with a review of further phases of the 250mph-line to Manchester and Leeds, as well as massive investment in separate rail projects in the North to appease Tory MPs who oppose HS2. However, the allegation that Mr Johnson made a private assurance to Mr Street will spark fury among critics of HS2.
According to reports, the review by former HS2 chairman Doug
Oakervee ‘strongly advises’ against scrapping the project despite the soaring cost.
The hugely controversial project – linking London with Birmingham, Manchester and Leeds by 2032/33 – has become a litmus test of Mr Johnson’s determination to level up the North/South economies.
A source close to Mr Street said: ‘It is categorically untrue that the PM has given the green light for HS2, which is why Andy has been campaigning so vocally to ensure it does get the go-ahead.’
Downing Street declined to comment last night.