Fresh HS2 shambles as Michael Gove says line might NOT run to Euston – as it’s already cost £2bn
THE SHAMBOLIC HS2 line may never reach Euston, Michael Gove said last night, as it’s revealed it’s already cost £2billion.
But No10 insisted it was still the plan to run it all the way to central London – though there was still no date for it.
The Levelling Up boss lifted the lid on the raging debate inside Government about whether it should be canned – as revealed by The Sun earlier this year.
He refused to say for definite whether the new speedy train service – which has now been pushed back another two years – would run into central London as planned.
Mr Gove indicated it was still up in the air whether the line should stop out in West London at Old Oak Common instead.
The Sun revealed the chaos at the heart of the plans and how a cleared-out cemetery in Euston is to stay unused for another decade while ministers try to push down the costs.
The total bill for the 10-platform terminus is now expected to be nearly £5billion – nearly double its budget – the National Audit Office watchdog says today.
When grilled on whether it would ever come to central London, Mr Gove told Channel 4 last night: “There is a debate about whether or not it should be Old Oak Common or Euston.
“Old Oak Common is going to be a major area for regeneration.
But we want to make sure that as many people as possible can benefit not just from the additional rail infrastructure, but also from the regeneration that HS2 can bring.
“I don’t know what the final decision will be about where the terminus is.”
Ministers had previously promised the line would definitely go to Euston – but the decision has now been kicked back yet again.
The NAO watchdog has warned for years how the pricy project could run dangerously over budget, and is far more complex than first thought.
The new 10-platform plan is now £400million more expensive than the previous 11-platform plan, they said.
And the two-year pause – blamed on soaring inflation – will see spending deferred in the short term but lead to more costs later down the line.
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A DfT spokesperson said: “We remain committed to delivering HS2 from Euston to Manchester in a way that delivers the best value for money to the taxpayer.
“That’s why we recently announced we will rephase the Euston section of the project to manage inflationary pressures and work on an affordable design for the station.
“We will carefully consider the recommendations set out by the National Audit Office and will formally respond in due course.”