Government refuses to deny reports HS2 may not run to central London

Soaring inflation reportedly means the high speed rail project may run to west London’s suburbs instead.

Amid delays, HS2 trains reportedly may not even run into central London (PA Media)

The Government has refused to confirm that HS2 will reach its central London terminus at Euston following reports that it may be delayed or scrapped.

The Sun said soaring inflation means that the high speed rail project may not run to Euston until 2038 – or be scrapped completely, with trains instead stopping at a new hub at Old Oak Common in west London’s suburbs.

Instead commuters would have to finish their journeys into central London by using the Elizabeth Line.

The paper also reported that a two-to-five-year delay to the entire project is being considered.

A Department for Transport spokesman said: “The government remains committed to delivering HS2 to Manchester, as confirmed in the autumn statement.

“As well as supporting tens of thousands of jobs, the project will connect regions across the UK, improve capacity on our railways and provide a greener option of travel.”

The project has been dogged by criticism over its financial and environmental impact.

In October of last year, the levelling up secretary Michael Gove suggested capital investment for HS2 would be reviewed, but Chancellor Jeremy Hunt subsequently backed the project.

The target cost of Phase One between London and Birmingham was £40.3 billion at 2019 prices.

A budget of £55.7 billion for the whole of HS2 was set in 2015.