RESPONDING TO THE ANNOUNCEMENT THAT PHASE TWO OF HS2 HAS BEEN SCRAPPED, JOHN DICKIE, CHIEF EXECUTIVE AT BUSINESSLDN, SAID:
“The Government has done the unthinkable by building a new north-south railway and stopping halfway.
“This short-sighted decision has been made with little attempt to work with business to explore how costs could be reduced and private investment increased. It pulls the handbrake on the long-term benefits of growth, levelling up and sustainability that HS2 would have delivered for communities across the country.
“Constant chopping and changing has increased costs and undermined delivery of HS2. This meddling by ministers sends a very negative signal to investors and contractors, which will drive up the price that we all pay when it comes to delivering future major infrastructure projects.â€