What started as an ambitious plan to connect London with the North is now back in the news. After being previously scrapped, it looks like phase 2a of HS2, which would extend the line from London Euston to Crewe, could be back on track. But this decision isn’t without controversy, especially because of the project’s enormous costs.

Back in 2009, when the HS2 plan was first announced, it was expected to cost £37.5 billion. Fast forward to February 2024, and that number has skyrocketed. The project is now estimated to cost somewhere between £72 billion and £98 billion. This huge increase has caused a lot of concern, with many people questioning whether it’s worth continuing with such an expensive project.

The Political Tug-of-War

The revival of phase 2a is reportedly being discussed behind closed doors. Last month, at the Labour Party conference, there were secret talks between Labour leader Keir Starmer and other party members about bringing the project back. Although nothing official has been announced yet, rumors are swirling that the government might make an official statement early next year.

Interestingly, this comes after former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak had canceled phase 2a to try and keep costs down. Sunak and his team believed that cutting this part of the project would help save billions of pounds. However, it seems the idea of completely scrapping the northern leg of HS2 is not sitting well with everyone, especially those who see it as an important long-term investment in the country’s infrastructure.

HS2’s Expensive Journey

As with many large projects, HS2’s budget has grown larger and larger over time. While the government initially promised that it would stay within its budget, it now looks like those promises are impossible to keep. The costs have “ballooned,” as some critics say, and have more than doubled since the project’s early days.

One group that’s not happy about the possible revival of phase 2a is the Taxpayers’ Alliance. John O’Connell, the chief executive of this group, has been vocal in his criticism. He believes that bringing back the northern section of HS2 would further strain public finances at a time when the country is already facing financial challenges. He called HS2 a “massive white elephant”—something that costs a lot of money but has little real value.

O’Connell also pointed out that the financial case for HS2 fell apart years ago due to its rising costs. On top of that, the way people travel has changed since the COVID-19 pandemic. More people now work from home, reducing the need for fast travel between major cities. This shift in work and travel patterns has led some to question whether investing in HS2 is still a smart idea.

Business Pushes for HS2 Completion

On the other hand, there are those who believe that HS2 is still a crucial project. John Dickie, the chief executive of BusinessLDN, argues that now is actually the best time to complete the line. He claims that construction costs will only continue to rise, so delaying or canceling the project will make it even more expensive in the future. His message is clear: “There will never be a cheaper time” to build the HS2 tunnel.

Dickie’s view is shared by many in the business community, who see HS2 as a way to boost economic growth by improving connections between cities. They believe that the benefits of HS2 will outweigh the costs in the long run, as it will make it easier for people and goods to move across the country.

Can Potholes Replace HS2?

While the HS2 project has been plagued by budget problems, some politicians have proposed using the money for other things. Transport Secretary Louise Haigh had a different plan for the billions of pounds saved from canceling phase 2a. She suggested using £8.3 billion of the scrapped HS2 funds to fix the country’s roads. Haigh promised to fill a million potholes each year, which she argued would benefit far more people than the expensive rail project.

However, fixing potholes isn’t exactly an exciting long-term vision for the country’s infrastructure. Critics argue that focusing on road repairs over major rail projects shows a lack of ambition. They believe that the UK needs large infrastructure projects like HS2 to stay competitive with other countries and to meet future transportation needs.

The Government’s Mixed Messages

Despite all the talk about reviving phase 2a of HS2, the government has been sending mixed messages. A spokesperson for the Department of Transport recently said that there is no plan to make an announcement about restarting the project. They pointed to the King’s Speech, where there was no mention of reviving HS2’s northern leg, as evidence that the government has no immediate plans to bring it back.

The spokesperson also criticized the Conservatives for their handling of the HS2 project, blaming them for letting the costs get out of control. However, some people remain hopeful that the government might change its mind in the coming months, especially as pressure mounts to invest in the country’s future infrastructure.

What’s Next for HS2?

So, what’s next for HS2? Will the government move forward with phase 2a and extend the line to Crewe, or will the project be permanently shelved to save money? At this point, it’s hard to say for sure. The only thing that seems certain is that the HS2 debate is far from over.

As the country continues to grapple with rising costs and shifting priorities, the fate of HS2 will likely remain a hot topic. Supporters argue that it’s an essential investment in the UK’s future, while critics see it as a costly burden that the country simply can’t afford. One thing is clear: whatever happens next, the decision will have long-lasting effects on the UK’s transportation system and its economy.