Cancelling part of the high-speed train could be a cost of about £100 million and even take up to three years to finish, according to a new report. It, therefore, emerges from the National Audit Office which is an independent watchdog that looks over how the government spends its money.

What’s Going on with HS2?

HS2 is an ambitious project to construct a high-speed train line that will link London with other major cities in the region, such as Birmingham and Manchester. Now, it emerges that part of the project that was supposed to see Birmingham connected to Manchester is scrapped. The news was revealed by former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak during his speech at last year’s Tory Party Conference.

Why is this a Big Deal?

This will not only be very expensive but also take so much time to sort out everything. The government bought lands and properties along the route from Birmingham to Manchester, worth £592 million. Such land selling might be tricky and have an effect on the prices of houses around.

According to a new report by the NAO, the cancellation of this section of the HS2 is going to be associated with a number of issues. Trains between London and Manchester, for example, could become more overcrowded and expensive. The intention had been that HS2 trains would make use of existing tracks, but they could have fewer seats unless the tracks and stations are improved.

What Are the Experts Saying?

And the NAO concluded that without HS2, the current rail lines could become overcrowded by the middle of the 2030s, while the cancellation could have caused economic growth in the region and increased environmental costs.

Also according to the report, completing the first phase of HS2, connecting London to Birmingham, will cost up to £57 billion, much above the approved original budget of £44.6 billion. The reason for the increased cost is delays and the early setting of budgets.

What’s Next for HS2?

HS2 Ltd says scrapping phase two will make it even more difficult to manage the cost, though they say they are working on ways that costs can be managed better. They are moving ahead but focusing only on the part between London and the West Midlands.

The HS2 is quite complex, and with the recent phase 2 cancellation, it added to the complication. The company is now looking at ways to handle these challenges and finish the project on time.

Conclusion

A lot of issues and extra costs have been involved in scrapping a portion of the HS2 project. That is time needed for sorting land and property, further problems with the train service, and unknown future costs. The government and the HS2 Ltd are finding ways in which they can deal and move on in regard to these problems affecting the project.