HS2 BACK ON TRACK

Private finance could revive axed HS2 project

- Jonathan Walker

Rival mayors team up to breathe new life into axed rail link

Private firms to pay bulk of bill saving taxpayers billions

SECRET government talks are being held next week to get the scrapped HS2 high-speed rail link back on track. 

A cross-party plan has been drawn up to complete the northern stretch of the line, ensuring the private sector foots most of the massive bill – not taxpayers.

The blueprint will be discussed behind closed doors at a Whitehall meeting between Transport Secretary Mark Harper and the mayors representing cities at both ends of the route.

There was an outcry last year when Rishi Sunak axed the Birmingham to Manchester section of the 225mph project due to delays and soaring costs, freeing up £36billion for other transport schemes. A southern section linking Birmingham and London is already under construction, costing £57billion.

West Midlands Conservative Mayor Andy Street and Greater Manchester Labour Mayor Andy Burnham are working on a replacement scheme financed by private companies, including the rail firms.

The project will be overseen by Sir David Higgins, the former chairman of HS2 and chief executive of the 2012 London Olympics, now chairman of Gatwick Airport.