Serious doubts hang over future of HS2 with publication of report expected within days

Serious doubt has been cast over the controversial HS2 project – according to reports.

A report into the scheme – ordered by the new prime minister – is expected to be published next Friday.

And speculation is growing the new rail link could be cancelled with costs now expected to hit a staggering £100bn.

The original scheme was set to cost £55.7bn and the project is also running seven years late.

Boris Johnson ordered the review into the project but publicly backed the Northern Powerhouse Rail link between Leeds and Liverpool in one of his first public statements as Prime Minister.

According to ITV News the section through the East Midlands will not now go ahead.

And there are also doubts about the future of the whole project because of the soaring costs.

Douglas Oakervee, the man asked to carry out the review into HS2, is expected publish his findings next week.

Political leaders and business organisations in the North West have been campaigning for the project to go ahead.

Many see it as vital to the future growth of the region’s economy.

ITV is reporting that the route from Birmingham through to the East Midlands and then on to Leeds has been axed.

There are also reports that the route on to Manchester and Liverpool will be downgraded.

The Department for Transport issued a statement.

It said: “The Secretary of State published the Allan Cook report as soon as Parliament returned, providing the Chairman’s updated assessment of costs and schedule.

“The independent review into HS2, led by Douglas Oakervee with Lord Berkeley as deputy and a panel of advisers, will provide the department with clear advice on how and whether the project should proceed.

“We are not going to pre-empt or prejudice this work with a running commentary on the review’s progress.”

Free market think tank the Adam Smith Institute said the Government should rethink HS2 project and instead find other ways to improve rail services.

Adrian Quine said: “HS2 has become the most out of control project of our generation. There is no disputing that the UK needs new rail infrastructure but HS2 does not deliver what it claims.

“It is ideologically driven, over engineered and will not solve the problems facing rail travellers today.”

Henri Murison, Director of the Northern Powerhouse Partnership, said: “Northern business leaders, Metro Mayors and our civic leaders want to drive our economy to end the imbalance of spending on infrastructure.”