John Peace

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The First phase of The HS2 high-speed rail line Between London and Birmingham is being delayed by up to five years, Transport Minister Grant shapp's says.

This section of the route was due to the until the end of 2026, But it could now 2028 Between and 2031, before The First trains run on the track.

HS2 sum of the costs also increased, from € 62bn Between £81bn to £88bn, But Mr. shapp's said he will keep an "Open Mind " about The Project 's future.

The Second Phase has also been delayed.

The route from Birmingham to Manchester and Leeds - was due to open in 2032-33, But was 2035-2040 pushed back.

Mr shapp's' statement was based on the budget came to the conclusion that the new path could not be delivered within the current.

"I want The House the full picture. The Future lies not in the concealment of the true costs of a large infrastructure project - as well as the potential benefits," said Mr. shapp's.

Mr. cook said that The Delay had occurred because the original plans did not account for the effect of the building through densely populated areas with difficult geographical conditions.

in His report to the government the decision on whether HS2 will go ahead at all.

in the Last month, with a "go or no-go" decision until the end of the year.

The government has said that the construction work will continue while the review is underway.

Click to see content: hs2_journey_times 'Unrealistic' target

Cost was Originally expected to be £56bn in the year 2015 prices, Mr cook said that the new Cost estimate was adjusted for inflation, and based on today's prices.

Mr Koch, who started his role in December, had already warned about the increase in expenditure in the preparation of

He said The Department for Transport last month that the scheme could not be delivered, in his household.

"The budget and target schedule for the program as unrealistic, while at the same time, the benefits were already said to be understated," Mr Koch.

concerns that the rising costs and delays could be a threat to the viability of HS2, are not new. last month, showed that both the government and HS2 knew that the new high-speed railway was over budget and probably behind schedule a few years ago.

In July , Meg Hillier , chair of the audit Committee, doubts the 2026 opening opponent, called it "unrealistic".

The prospects for HS2 seems to be pretty gloomy

analysis of business correspondent Theo Leggett

This statement is probably too much fresh ammunition for critics of a highly controversial project.

Not only the government, admitting is, it is far more Cost to Build than expected - again - But it is also likely to take much longer than expected.

The First trains are unlikely to run until 2028, while Manchester and Leeds to benefit from superfast services until at least 2035.

If the government wants to cancel the scheme, figures like these, or to shorten, there is a fair measure of political cover.

It is small consolation for the supporters of The Plan - the proposal that the benefits of the new railway have been "significantly undervalued". But this is not yet in solid numbers.

The cross-party review commissioned by the government in August, later is due to report this year, and a broader answer could be. But at the moment, the prospects for HS2 seems pretty grim.

What has been the reaction?

Andy Mcdonald , Labour's shadow transport Secretary, said the government had "misled Parliament and The Public about the costs of HS2".

"the people's confidence in The Project , so that this delay is Bad News for the UK transport system as a whole and the North of England in particular. "

Sir John Peace , Chairman of the Midlands Connect Midlands Motor, said support continues to HS2, namely, the additional rail capacity was needed "urgently".

"I believe that HS2 is a once-in-a-lifetime Chance to have a better balance of The British economy and Build a transport network fit for The Future . "

Mike Spicer, director of policy at The British Chambers of Commerce said: "Business communities up and down the country, will be disappointed at the prospect of waiting longer to see the benefits of this important project.

"Nevertheless, we remain confident, to feel the long-term benefits for generations, and by far the investment costs. "

What is HS2?

HS2 would run a new rail line, once completed, from London to the West Midlands , Manchester and Leeds .

the trains on the London-Birmingham route would be 400m to reach-long (1,300 ft) with up to 1,100 seats and would be capable of speeds of up to 250mph. You would have as many as 14 times per hour in each direction.

The Department for transport, says The Project will cut Birmingham to London journey times of an hour and 21 minutes to 52 minutes

Once the Second Phase is completed, from Manchester to London, travelling an hour would take seven minutes, (down from two hours, seven minutes), Birmingham and Leeds , 49 minutes (two hours).

This would effectively reduce journey times Between London and Edinburgh and Glasgow by an hour to three-and-a-half hours.

The government hopes its creation will be free capacity on overcrowded commuter routes.

euston, birmingham, grant shapps, hs2, department for transport, rail travel, manchester, crewe, leeds

Source of news: bbc.com