![Pinterest](https://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://uknews.evprotec.com/hs2-government-refuses-to-guarantee-manchester-branch/&media=https://uknews.evprotec.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/131065868_hitachi-alstom-newsroom-881x585-1.jpg&description=Image source, Alstom The government has refused to guarantee the future of the HS2 rail line between Birmingham and Manchester. A Downing Street spokesperson instead suggested that ministers would need to balance the interests of "passengers and taxpayers". Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Chancellor Jeremy Hunt met on Wednesday and discussed the HS2 project. Their primary concerns are said to be over spiralling costs and delays to the project. "Spades are already in the ground on our HS2 programme and we're focused on delivering it," the prime minister's official spokesman said. Asked whether Mr Sunak was committed to the line going to Manchester, the spokesman did not confirm whether it would, saying: "We are committed to HS2, to the project." However, No 10 did confirm that ministers were looking at "rephasing" the project, hinting at a possible delay. Speculation over the scheme's future resurfaced this week after The Independent carried a photograph of a document with details of a "savings table" of the costs of each part of the scheme north of Birmingham. Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham said: "Why should it be the North of England that pays the price? "What we are going to end up with here is in the southern half of the country, a modern, high-speed rail network, and the northern half of the country left with crumbling Victorian infrastructure. That won't level us up, it will do the exact opposite." HS2 has been somewhat symbolic for the government's levelling-up agenda and has been seen in recent years as an important way to help bridge economic regional disparities. In March, Transport Secretary Mark Harper announced that work on a new station at London Euston would be pushed back by two years because of rising costs. At the same time, the government said the section between Birmingham and Crewe would be delayed by two years, to spread out spending. Costs around HS2 have increased significantly and are now well above its original budget of £33bn, which w){kind=link}
The government has refused to guarantee the future of the HS2 rail line between Birmingham and Manchester.
A Downing Street spokesperson instead suggested that ministers would need to balance the interests of “passengers and taxpayers”.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Chancellor Jeremy Hunt met on Wednesday and discussed the HS2 project.
Their primary concerns are said to be over spiralling costs and delays to the project.
“Spades are already in the ground on our HS2 programme and we’re focused on delivering it,” the prime minister’s official spokesman said.