The future of the £106 billion HS2 rail project is under threat as the Manchester leg faces the chopping block. The proposal to scrap this part of the project has been met with strong opposition from former Chancellor George Osborne, who called it a "gross act of vandalism." Osborne warned that any changes to HS2 could damage current Chancellor Rishi Sunak's reputation both at home and abroad. Another former Chancellor, Lord Heseltine, also voiced his concerns, stating that abandoning the project would be an "act of huge economic self-harm."

Controversial plans

Rishi Sunak is considering scrapping the Manchester leg of HS2 as part of a political strategy to regain popularity. Some members of the Cabinet argue that the project has become too expensive due to inflation. Instead, they believe the money could be better utilized elsewhere.

Consequences of scrapping HS2

The potential scrapping of the Manchester leg of HS2 could have serious repercussions for passengers. According to a letter written by Network Rail Chief Andrew Haines, changing the project could lead to passenger "rationing" during peak hours and soaring fares due to high demand for a limited rail service. The west coast main line is already operating at full capacity, and additional demand from passengers would require difficult compromises.

Political response

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has neither confirmed nor denied the speculations about the removal of the Manchester leg, stating only that the government is committed to leveling up opportunities across the country. Housing Minister Rachel Maclean echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the need to evaluate travel patterns and consider the priorities of the broader transportation demands. Maclean acknowledged that the project's cost has significantly increased, leading the Prime Minister and the Chancellor to review its viability.

Despite the uncertainty surrounding the future of HS2, both Sunak and Maclean stressed the government's commitment to ongoing investment in transportation infrastructure.