(qlmbusinessnews.com Wed. 9th Oct, 2024) London, UK —
Transport Secretary Hints at HS2 Extension to Euston, Ending Old Oak Common Plan
The HS2 high-speed rail line is now expected to extend to London Euston, according to Transport Secretary Louise Haigh. Speaking on the matter, Haigh noted it would make “absolutely no sense” for the line to terminate at Old Oak Common in west London, as was previously planned under the former Conservative government.
The plan to stop at Old Oak Common would force passengers travelling to central London to change trains, something Haigh says should be avoided. “It would make absolutely no sense to build a £66bn high-speed line that stops short of central London,” she said during an interview with BBC Radio 5Live.
Work on expanding Euston Station to accommodate HS2 was halted last year due to rising costs. However, Haigh has indicated that a final decision on whether the line will extend to Euston will be made soon, with an announcement likely around the time of the Budget on 30 October.
HS2 was initially designed to connect London with key cities across the Midlands and the North of England, but the project has faced numerous delays and escalating costs. Former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak suggested last year that extending the line from Old Oak Common to Euston would depend on private investment, which could save up to £6.5bn in taxpayer funds.
The Labour government has yet to clarify how it intends to fund the potential extension. The Department for Transport has not responded to additional queries following Haigh's statements, and HS2 Ltd has also declined to comment.
Concerns have been raised about the financial viability of the Euston extension. In February, the Commons' Public Accounts Committee expressed doubt that the government could secure the necessary private investment on the “scale and speed required” to make the extension feasible.
Originally a Labour initiative from 2009, HS2’s latest estimated cost for the stretch between Birmingham and London ranges from £45bn to £54bn. With much of the construction already underway on the Birmingham to London section, the Euston Approaches remain a critical part of the project’s future, though work there has also been paused.
This News Story is brought to you by QLM Business News, your Digital Media Channel
Visit QLM businessnews.com
For more business news stories also follow us on Facebook, X and Youtube.
To Help qlm business news bring you more new stories like this, please like, share and subscribe.
Unlock unparalleled business growth and effortlessly attract a stream of new customers through QLM Business News Sponsored Advertising. Elevate your brand's presence and captivate your target audience with precision. Visit QLMbusinessnews.com and click on “Advertise” to harness the power of strategic advertising. Don't miss this unparalleled opportunity to propel your business to new heights of success!
Disclaimer: All images presented herein are intended solely for illustrative purposes and may not accurately depict the true likeness of the subjects, objects, or individuals referencted in the accompanying news stories.
