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HS2 will 'short change' the the North, say peers | HS2 will 'short change' the the North, say peers |
(about 3 hours later) | |
HS2 will not offer value for money and risks "short changing" the North of England, a group of peers has warned. | HS2 will not offer value for money and risks "short changing" the North of England, a group of peers has warned. |
A report from the House of Lords Economic Affairs Committee also said it was "far from convinced" the new high-speed railway will be built within the £55.7bn budget. | A report from the House of Lords Economic Affairs Committee also said it was "far from convinced" the new high-speed railway will be built within the £55.7bn budget. |
It said the project should not go ahead without a new assessment of its costs and benefits. | It said the project should not go ahead without a new assessment of its costs and benefits. |
The government said it "fundamentally disagreed" with the report. | |
The committee, which includes former chancellors Lord Darling and Lord Lamont, said that more than £4bn had already been spent on the first phase of HS2, which will run between London and Birmingham. | The committee, which includes former chancellors Lord Darling and Lord Lamont, said that more than £4bn had already been spent on the first phase of HS2, which will run between London and Birmingham. |
But it said the scheme had put too much emphasis on cutting journey times and not enough on the economic impact on regions. | But it said the scheme had put too much emphasis on cutting journey times and not enough on the economic impact on regions. |
It said the first phase of the project offered "little benefit" to northern cities, despite them being in most need of better rail infrastructure. | It said the first phase of the project offered "little benefit" to northern cities, despite them being in most need of better rail infrastructure. |
And it said the second phase, which would improve journey times between Leeds and Sheffield, risked never going ahead because of spending overruns. | And it said the second phase, which would improve journey times between Leeds and Sheffield, risked never going ahead because of spending overruns. |
"The northern sections of High Speed 2 must not be sacrificed to make up for overspending on the railway's southern sections," said Lord Forsyth, who chairs the committee. | "The northern sections of High Speed 2 must not be sacrificed to make up for overspending on the railway's southern sections," said Lord Forsyth, who chairs the committee. |
Cost control | Cost control |
The report called for the Northern Powerhouse Rail scheme - a separate scheme connecting towns and cities in the region - to be completed alongside HS2. | The report called for the Northern Powerhouse Rail scheme - a separate scheme connecting towns and cities in the region - to be completed alongside HS2. |
Currently work on that scheme does not begin until the mid 2020s. | Currently work on that scheme does not begin until the mid 2020s. |
It also urged the government to control the costs of HS2, amid warnings that "nobody knows" what the final cost will be. | It also urged the government to control the costs of HS2, amid warnings that "nobody knows" what the final cost will be. |
It suggested lowering the speed of HS2 or placing its terminal in west London rather than Euston would save money. | It suggested lowering the speed of HS2 or placing its terminal in west London rather than Euston would save money. |
The report is the latest in a series of warnings about the railway, amid concern over its finances and environmental impact. | The report is the latest in a series of warnings about the railway, amid concern over its finances and environmental impact. |
HS2 is planned to run up to 18 trains per hour at a top speed of 225mph, with phase one set to open in 2026. | HS2 is planned to run up to 18 trains per hour at a top speed of 225mph, with phase one set to open in 2026. |
A Department for Transport spokeswoman said: "By 2020, the government will have invested a record £13bn in transport across the North, and we have a clear plan for linking the Midlands and the North through HS2 and Northern Powerhouse Rail - the full benefits of which can only be delivered on the back of HS2. | A Department for Transport spokeswoman said: "By 2020, the government will have invested a record £13bn in transport across the North, and we have a clear plan for linking the Midlands and the North through HS2 and Northern Powerhouse Rail - the full benefits of which can only be delivered on the back of HS2. |
"This is not either/or, we are clear we want both. | "This is not either/or, we are clear we want both. |
"HS2 will deliver additional rail capacity, significantly improve connections and provide opportunities for economic growth - with around £92bn in benefits - for people and businesses across the North." | "HS2 will deliver additional rail capacity, significantly improve connections and provide opportunities for economic growth - with around £92bn in benefits - for people and businesses across the North." |