Fears grow that HS2 will lose Leeds leg

Fears that the eastern leg of HS2 will be hacked off are becoming stronger as the Treasury attempts to scale back spending. The eastern leg of HS2, linking Birmingham with Leeds, is expected to be curtailed or mothballed, with government officials citing the “astronomical cost” of the project. Estimated costs for the whole line have tripled to more than £100bn over the past decade. Transport secretary Grant Shapps has been told by the Treasury to get a grip on the delivery of existing schemes and to be ruthless in prioritising new projects, with ministers fearing the final bill for HS2 could go much higher unless the project is scaled back now. Amputating the Leeds leg could save £40bn. The FT (£) Image from HS2 Ltd