Faisal Islam: Why a full HS2 line could still be built despite the latest fiasco
The future of the HS2 project remains uncertain as the government weighs options between cancellation and completing a reduced line. Despite significant investments already made, the project has faced setbacks, including the scrapping of key legs intended to connect northern England with London. The ongoing challenges may paradoxically lead to the full construction of the Western leg to Manchester, as it could provide maximum benefit at a lower cost.
- ▪HS2 has already incurred costs of around £60 billion, making cancellation financially comparable to completion.
- ▪The project was originally designed to improve connectivity and economic balance between northern England and London.
- ▪The completion of the line from Birmingham to Manchester Airport could be pursued to maximize benefits while minimizing costs.
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Faisal Islam: Why a full HS2 line could still be built despite the latest fiasco7 minutes agoShareSaveAdd as preferred on GoogleFaisal IslamEconomics editorGetty ImagesHS2 was, appropriately enough, at the ultimate Y-junction.In one direction lay the entire cancellation of HS2, despite the viaducts, tunnels, verges, bat protection facilities, and floating platforms that have already been built.In the other direction lay spending the money on completing a slowed down, stump of a line, that would only connect west London with Birmingham by the late 2030s.The HS2 boss Mark Wild has calculated that the costs of cancellation and realistic remediation would be in the same range as completion from this point — about £60bn.
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