HS2 train numbers could be reduced by one fifth

HS2 may be forced to slash the number of trains it runs in an attempt to keep control over its £56billion budget, The Sunday Telegraph can disclose.

The government body constructing the high-speed line is considering reducing the maximum number of trains travelling on the tracks by a fifth, from 18 to 14 each way. The move would cut the capacity of the line by the equivalent of 8,800 passengers per hour during peak times and would represent a major about-turn.

HS2 Ltd had previously insisted it stood by its pledge that 18 trains could run from London per hour, in the face of warnings by experts that no other high-speed line in the world had managed to achieve such a feat.

Andrea Leadsom, the Leader of the Commons, said constituents in her South Northamptonshire seat, through which the line is to run, were “concerned that changes to the project could undermine the business case, negatively affect the benefit-cost ratio, and reduce the value for taxpayers’ money”.

The admission emerged after Liz Truss, Chief Secretary to the Treasury, said the Government would “examine

all major investment projects” as part of a review later this year. Writing in this newspaper last week she said ministers must be prepared to junk expensive “white elephant” projects that fail to provide “bang for buck”.

Any reduction in the proposed capacity of the line is likely to be seized on by critics as evidence that the scheme should be scrapped or scaled back as part of the review.

The option of reducing the number of trains able to run on the line was revealed to MPs at a briefing on Nov 20 by Mark Thurston, HS2’s chief executive. The meeting followed repeated claims that the project was running significantly over its budget – officially set at £56 billion – and construction schedule. Last month it emerged that the company was also considering limiting the speed of trains to save money.

In 2014 the Government claimed that HS2 would provide up to 59,400 seats from London to Birmingham during the three-hour afternoon peak period.

The claim was based on an assumption that the service could op- erate up to 18 trains from London to Birmingham, with 1,100 seats on each train. Another 18 trains could run the opposite direction each hour, the Government claimed.

Reducing the number to 14 would cut the total number of available seats in both directions by 8,800 per hour.

Last week Theresa May insisted HS2 was needed to ensure “that we have the capacity that is needed on this particular route”.

But in a letter to Mr Thurston, published in a blog for her constituents, Mrs Leadsom, who campaigned against HS2 as a backbencher, said: “Given the business case for HS2 was first predicated upon speed, then on capacity, then finally on improving connectivity with the north, can I ask how these changes – separately and cumulatively – would impact on the viability of the project?

“My constituents are naturally concerned that changes to the project could undermine the business case, negatively affect the benefit-cost ratio, and reduce the value for taxpayers’ money.”

She added: “I would also be grateful if you could confirm that if changes are made you will be providing an updated review of the business case and value for taxpayers’ money.”

Responding to Ms Leadsom, Mr Thurston said it was HS2’s “intention … to ensure the project is delivered on time and within budget”.

He had been responding to questions “about what could be done to change scope in an effort to reduce cost”. “More detailed work on the effect of such changes would of course take place,” he said, if the firm was asked to pursue any of the options.