Ministers to oversee build as costs ‘spiral’

[Pelican Press 0]

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Ministers to oversee build as costs ‘spiral’

Ministers are to take take a direct role in overseeing the building of the HS2 rail line to try to “get a grip” on the rising cost of the high speed route between London and Birmingham.

Transport Secretary Louise Haigh said it had long been clear that the cost of HS2, which could reach £65bn, had been allowed to “spiral out of control”.

She said she had now seen “up close” the “scale of ********”, which she described as “dire”.

“I have promised to work fast and fix things and that’s exactly why I have announced urgent measures to get a grip on HS2’s costs and ensure taxpayers’ money is put to good use,” Haigh said.

The government also confirmed it will not reinstate previous plans to run the high-speed line to Crewe and Manchester, which

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A spokesperson for HS2 Ltd said: “We welcome the Secretary of State’s priorities for HS2 Ltd and are committed to working with the new Government to improve delivery.”

Adding: “HS2 Ltd recognises that there are many lessons to be learned from delivery to date and, under new leadership, are actively implementing the changes within our control to stablise costs.”

A new independent review of the project has also been commissioned.

The government confirmed it has commissioned the review which will be carried our by a former Chief Executive of Crossrail, James Stewart.

HS2 Ltd said that it looks forward to the “recommendations” of Mr Stewart.

In January, the

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could rise, saying a hike in the cost of materials such as concrete and steel have added £8bn to £10bn to the project’s budget.

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