An open letter signed by members of the High Speed Rail Group and Railway Industry Association including AECOM, Jacobs, Mace and WSP cites “mounting alarm” that the upcoming Integrated Rail Plan might “delay, curtail, mothball or even cancel entirely” the eastern leg.

The plan which has been pushed back by several months is due to set out how High Speed 2 and Northern Powerhouse Rail can work effectively together, with signatories of the letter now urging “clarity and certainty” without further delay.

“Failing to deliver HS2 in full would undermine the Prime Minister’s commitment to levelling up and to net zero,” said High Speed Rail Group director Tom Wadsworth. “So we are calling on the Prime Minister to reaffirm his promise to deliver HS2 in full, including the eastern leg.”

Railway Industry Association chief executive Darren Caplan added: “Only with the whole scheme can we truly unlock the jobs, investment and economic growth the new rail line will provide to cities, towns and communities across the country.”

The letter describes the eastern leg as “the part that turns HS2 from a project which simply alleviates congestion on the West Coast Mainline into one that transforms the connectivity of much of Britain” and highlights that businesses have already invested millions of pounds in the people, skills and technology needed to deliver the scheme.

It adds that the UK’s tendency to “review and reopen questions which had already been settled” plays a major role in infrastructure projects running over budget. “We are indulging in a debate on HS2 scope and design (again) well after construction has commenced.”

Changing the scheme now “would have a devastating impact on confidence in the sector and drive higher costs as other elements would have to be redesigned,” the letter says.

The future of High Speed 2 was also the topic of a Westminster Hall debate on Monday evening which saw MPs discuss a public petition carrying over 150,000 signatures, urging work to stop immediately on the project and a vote to be held on repealing its supporting legislation.

During the session, Labour MP for Leeds Central Hilary Benn shared his “deep concern” over reports that the Government is “going cold” on the eastern leg.

Coventry North West MP Taiwo Owatemi of Labour – who led the debate – noted that the Government has so far failed to deny the possibility of scrapping the eastern leg which she said: “certainly brings into doubt some of the predicted economic benefits of constructing HS2”.

She welcomed promised benefits including jobs creation, improved connections between cities and regional economic growth, as well as the investment in “clean and green” public transport infrastructure. But she raised concerns about environmental damage, including the loss of ancient woodland.

Further concerns heard during the session included the project’s escalating costs and fears around poor management of the delivery programme, as well as expected noise pollution along the route of the new railway and local disruption caused by its construction. A need for greater engagement and transparency with communities was emphasised.

Responding to the debate, Transport Minister Andrew Stephenson said: “I know that HS2 is a project that inspires strong feelings on all sides, as all major infrastructure projects do. The Government carefully considered the merits of proceeding with HS2, which has almost certainly been subject to more Parliamentary scrutiny than any other infrastructure project.

“Our firm conclusion was that HS2 should go ahead, and it is now progressing.” He added: “This is a once in a generation major infrastructure project that will shape this country for well over 100 years, showcasing our skills in engineering and construction.”

(Image: Capita)

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