After a Conservative Party Conference dogged by the apparent open secret of plans to axe the HS2 to Manchester link, Rishi Sunak confirmed the rumours in his address
The funding from the HS2 to Manchester axing will allegedly go towards other transport projects in the north of England, in part of a “Network North”.
The Network North would integrate Bradford, Sheffield and Hull with Manchester and Leeds in a “fully electrified line”.
The prime minister said there must be accountability for “mismanagement” at the Euston Station site
Sunak said that the Euston Station project will now be taken over from HS2 management and repurposed for “building new homes, business opportunities and a station”. The £6.5bn savings made from this project will allegedly be redistributed to projects across the rest of the country.
Stating that “east-west links are more important than north-south ones”, the prime minister announced a raft of infrastructure schemes in place of the HS2 to Manchester link, including over 70 road schemes: “We’ll protect the £12bn to link up Manchester and Liverpool as planned, and we’ll engage with local leaders on how best to deliver that scheme.
“We’ll build the Midlands rail hub connecting 50 different stations, we’ll help Andy Street extend the West Midlands metro, we’ll build the Leeds tram, we’ll electrify the North Wales mainline, upgrade the A1, the A2, A5 the M6…”
HS2 will now only reach Birmingham- not even Crewe
In London, the high-speed track will be extended from Old Oak Common in west London to Euston.
Passengers would then have to switch on the existing West Coast Mainline track to travel to Manchester by rail.
This means that passengers can get on a train at Euston and travel to Birmingham on a high-speed railway, before the train will switch to the existing West Coast Mainline track to travel to Manchester.
Industry reactions to the HS2 to Manchester axing
Sean Keyes, managing director of Sutcliffe, summed up the resignation of the construction industry in response to the news, saying it “hasn’t come as any surprise to the construction sector.”
“Nevertheless, it is yet another disregard towards the north. Several hundred million pounds worth of work will be lost due to this cancellation, not to mention the disregard for the 30,000 employees delivering this crucial project, and the countless businesses and investors across the North West that are currently placing their bets on Manchester as a thriving place to invest based on its promise of increased connectivity.
“Having seen first-hand the upside of the north, I believe the latest delays to the levelling up agenda and the shelving of phase 2 of the Manchester leg cannot be ignored, and more needs to be done to support Liverpool, Manchester, Leeds and Newcastle to ensure equality of opportunity which surely will be good for the whole of the UK.
“Sadly, this predictable news shows that the government’s long-term commitment is bias, in favour of the south to the detriment of the UK. Combined with the cancellation of the Manchester leg of HS2, it shows yet again that the north isn’t being given fair opportunities that the south is.
“As our cities grow and the population increases, the demands for faster, reliable and greener connectivity is more important than ever, therefore a strong northern network will be absolutely imperative to balance the dominance of the south, ensuring equality of opportunity for the northern people.
“Over 14m people live in the north, which makes up a huge proportion of the country. The workforce in the north of the country need to be able to fulfil their potential by working on an equal footing with the south and so investment and funding of projects such as HS2 is crucial, in order for the country to reach its potential and not just the south.”
Director of Benham and Reeves, Marc von Grundherr, commented:
“Plans for a Euston development zone are sure to help revive the area and bring about a boost to the local property market in the process.
However, this will bring little comfort to those outside of London who will rightfully argue that the capital has benefitted greatly already from the likes of HS1 and the Elizabeth Line. Talk about cutting the North off at the knees.”
Others asked how property owners already impacted will be compensated
Richard Flenley, partner at Charles Russell Speechlys, said: “Once hailed as the great project to increase connectivity between London, the North and Scotland, the future for HS2 seems bleak after confirmation that Government is pulling the plug on the Northern leg – another blow to the Levelling Up Agenda, and the basis for HS2’s creation in the first place.
“The impact on homeowners and businesses whose properties have been threatened by potential acquisition cannot and must not be forgotten. If the Northern Leg does not proceed, will those adversely impacted to date be compensated?
“To learn that part of the scheme will now be cancelled – after years of property owners feeling stuck in a state of limbo – will leave many feeling that this has all been for nothing.
“Whatever decision is made about HS2’s future and the Levelling Up Agenda, the adverse impact of HS2 has already been felt – and for some, they now won’t see any benefits.
“This calls in to question how “fit for purpose” the law currently is at striking a fair balance between enabling major infrastructure projects and the interests of those business and homeowners who may (or may not) face compulsory acquisition of their properties at some point in the future”.
Northern political figures have decried the decision
Speaking earlier today, the Conservative West Midlands mayor Andy Street criticised the multiple delays and at the time unconfirmed axing of the HS2 to Manchester link.
“We’re supposed to be a leading member of the G7 and we can’t even build a railway between London and Manchester.”
Speaking to @CentreforCities, West Midlands Mayor Andy Street responds to reports that the #HS2 leg to #Manchester will today be scrapped.#CPC23 pic.twitter.com/TInUSuR5b4
— Centre for Cities (@CentreforCities) October 4, 2023
More succinctly, West Yorkshire mayor Tracey Brabin said to Sky News “it’s a grim day for the north”.
The post Industry reacts to confirmed axing of HS2 Manchester appeared first on Planning, Building & Construction Today.
