15.07.13
Network Rail reiterates need for HS2
The CBI’s director general has suggested the billions of pounds earmarked for HS2 would be better spent on the West Coast Main Line – but Network Rail has rejected that argument.
In response to John Cridland’s suggestion to the Treasury select committee that the recent £10bn increase in the likely cost of building HS2 made it the wrong priority for investment, Network Rail said: “Unprecedented growth in the last 10 years has seen passenger journeys grow by 50% to almost 1.5 billion a year and that number is set to continue to grow.
“Without HS2, the West Coast Mainline – our busiest and most economically important line – will be full in a little over a decade.”
Mayor of London Boris Johnson has suggested the ultimate cost of HS2 could reach £70bn.
(West Coast Main Line image copyright Alvey & Towers)
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