In his speech at the Conservative Party Conference, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is expected to announce the cancellation of the HS2 high-speed rail line connecting the West Midlands to
Manchester, according to BBC sources. Sunak is likely to present alternative projects in northern England and Wales, arguing that these alternatives offer better value for money and quicker delivery.
This decision follows weeks of speculation regarding the fate of the HS2 project. Rumors of its potential cancellation have already provoked backlash from local leaders and businesses.
Labour Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham criticized the government, accusing it of "disrespecting people across the whole of the North." He expressed his frustration with the treatment of northern England and the decision to announce the cancellation during the Conservative Party Conference.
The Conservative West Midlands Mayor Andy Street, who had previously warned against canceling HS2, is reportedly distressed by this news.
Businesses, including Manchester United, have urged the prime minister to commit to the HS2 line to avoid economic setbacks.
HS2 was originally proposed in 2010 and received approval in 2012, with then-Transport Secretary Justine Greening hailing it as "the most significant transport infrastructure project since the building of the motorways." However, concerns about escalating project costs, which stood at approximately £71 billion in 2019, have prompted calls for a review.
Deputy Chair of the Conservative Party Lee Anderson labeled HS2 as "a bad gamble."
The cancellation of HS2, if confirmed, would significantly alter the project's outcomes, with billions already spent on its construction. The decision could also impact tens of thousands of people working on the project and individuals whose lives have been affected by property purchases along the planned HS2 route.
Alternative proposals include focusing on improving east-west rail links across northern England, such as the Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR) project, which aims to enhance connections between Leeds, Manchester, and Liverpool. However, if HS2 does not extend to Manchester, this could increase the costs of NPR.
The Northern Powerhouse Partnership CEO, Henri Murrison, described the cancellation as "a national tragedy" for northern England's economy, arguing that it would hinder regional growth and productivity.
Nicola Headlam, former head of NPR, expressed disappointment over the potential dilution of HS2's transformative potential for the region.
As Rishi Sunak delivers his conference speech, the Conservative Party faces a challenging political landscape, trailing behind Labour in polls for over a year. Sunak's speech is expected to emphasize his vision for "fundamentally changing our country" and may be crucial in shaping the party's electoral prospects in the future. Photo by Hitachi Rail, Wikimedia commons.