Political heavyweights join HS2 opposition after new cost increase

The Government’s announcement that the planned cost of the HS2 high-speed rail link between London and the North will be £10bn higher than previously suggested provoked a storm of protest in the media.

Rik Thomas

12 July 2013

Peter Mandelson’s new-found doubts about HS2 drew ridicule from several commentators, including London mayor Boris Johnson

On 27 June transport secretary Patrick McLoughlin used the conservativehome website to promote the benefits of the Government’s planned HS2 rail link between London, Birmingham and Manchester and Leeds. “HS2 is a vital part of the infrastructure overhaul that this Government is delivering so that our country can compete in the global race,” McLoughlin began. “The simple fact is that, without it, the key rail and road routes connecting London, the Midlands and the North...