THREAD: A Government source tells Dispatches the multi-billion pound HS2 rail line linking London to Birmingham and the North may not get built beyond the Midlands because of fears of massive cost overruns + the whole project may even be scrapped.@Channel4 | #Dispatches #HS2 1/12
The estimated cost of HS2 back in 2011 was £33 billion. Four years later, that official forecast went up to £56 billion. Now some experts think it will cost more than £100 billion - making it the world's most expensive railway. @Channel4 | #Dispatches #HS2 2/12
Phase 1 of HS2 will go from London to Birmingham, it’s due to open in 2026. Phase 2 then goes on to Manchester and Leeds, that’s expected by 2033 - but hasn’t been cleared by Parliament yet. @Channel4 | #Dispatches #HS2 3/12
While the UK Government puts billions of pounds into HS2, delays across the UK rail network are at a 13-year high - and four of the five worst performing train companies serve the North of England. @Channel4 | #Dispatches #HS2 4/12
To help fix this, the Government says it’s spending £13 billion pounds on transport across Northern England, and that HS2 could bring jobs and growth - helping to bridge the North-South divide. @Channel4 | #Dispatches #HS2 5/12
But an exclusive Dispatches poll suggests 65% of those living in the North of England want the billions being spent on HS2 invested in Northern Powerhouse Rail instead - a project which would improve local commuter lines between northern cities. @Channel4 | #Dispatches #HS2 6/12
The government says it is committed to both Northern Powerhouse Rail and HS2 – but that HS2 should be built first. @Channel4 | #Dispatches #HS2 7/12
But former Labour chancellor and transport secretary Alistair Darling has told Dispatches he doubts HS2 "will ever get beyond the Midlands.” @Channel4 | #Dispatches #HS2 8/12
So Dispatches asked an independent consultancy firm to look at what return would be generated if HS2 was built only from London to Birmingham – this is what we found: @Channel4 | #Dispatches #HS2 9/12
If HS2 does stop in Birmingham, consultants Oxera say that every pound spent generates only £1.15 in terms of jobs and growth. @Channel4 | #Dispatches #HS2 10/12
And while HS2 says their complete High Speed line - London to Birmingham, then onto Manchester and Leeds – generates £2.30 for every £1 invested, Oxera say better rail links across the North of England would generate £2.70 for every £1 spent. @Channel4 | #Dispatches #HS2 11/12
But HS2 Chief Executive Mark Thurston believes the rail line will bring positive change, saying "when High Speed 2 and the work of Northern Powerhouse Rail brings together an integrated rail network, it will transform the northern economy.” @Channel4 | #Dispatches #HS2 12/12
