Sir John Armitt, the independent advisor on infrastructure, has called for an immediate hold on the government’s planned sale of land designated for phase 2 of HS2. Armitt has voiced concern that the current plans could exacerbate congestion on already strained rail lines between Birmingham and Manchester.
Recent government decisions have seen the cancellation of the HS2 link to Manchester and the proposed sale of properties bought to allow for line expansion. In response, Rishi Sunak, defended the measures, stating that the government’s priority was delivering “transport that matters most.”
Criticism has been widespread with opponents alleging the government of effectively sabotaging a project which, for fifteen years, had attracted cross-party backing.
Sir John, Chairman of the National Infrastructure Commission, branded the property sale decision as a “mistake,” suggesting that keeping options open would be a wiser approach. He recommended retaining the land for two to three years to explore potential alternatives to the current plan and avoid premature dismissals of potential solutions.
Voicing his disappointment, Armitt accused the government of a “knee-jerk, snap reaction,” and advocated for a thorough and holistic review on the best ways to improve connectivity between Birmingham and Manchester.
He further stressed the importance of a comprehensive evaluation of the government’s new proposal – Network North, which aims to redirect the funds to a series of local projects. Currently, according to Sir John, the government lacks an integrated rail plan and requires an all-encompassing blueprint for future developments.
Worryingly, the Department for Transport acknowledged earlier this month that for every pound invested in Phase 1 of the HS2 project, which cost the public over £45 billion, the economic benefits projected are now “significantly below” one pound. As such, the project is effectively haemorrhaging money.
The gains promised by the project, such as increased capacity and improved northern connections, are yet to be realised. Instead, it has delivered highly expensive elements – tunnels and viaducts straight through parts of London and the South – at the expense of the actual benefits it was intended to deliver.
The government’s position currently appears to have shifted, deeming the initial “strategic case for HS2” to rebalance the economy, as no longer applicable. The number of trains running on the half-finished line has been dramatically reduced.
The completion of phase 1 has essentially come down to writing off the costs incurred so far and reallocate spending to Network North’s projects in the south.
Sir John stressed the importance of delivering the HS2 link to Euston using government funding if necessary, as an indispensable aspect of the project.
In response, a government representative stressed its commitment to delivering high-quality infrastructure as a cornerstone of future growth. They highlighted the Network North plan which aims to provide essential transportation to citizens while simultaneously focusing on a pragmatic approach to achieving net zero that eases burdens on the working population.
