Minister suggests HS2 could reach Euston station

The Department for Transport (DfT) Secretary Louise Haigh has suggested that HS2 will likely reach Euston train station as it would “never have made sense” if it did not happen.

The minister said they will “soon” make an announcement over the HS2 project which could take place around the same time as the Chancellors first budget on 30 October.

Almost a year ago the former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said they will extend HS2 from Old Oak Common to Euston.

This will be reliant on investment from the private sector to save £6.5 billion of taxpayers money, but works stopped in March over funding.

In February the Commons’ Public Accounts Committee report stated they are “highly sceptical” the DfT will attract private investment on the scale needed and within the time frame required to build HS2 to Euston.

On Tuesday Times Radio asked will it be affordable for HS2 to finally reach Euston, Haigh responded, “We will be making an announcement on that soon.

“But it certainly would never have made sense to leave it between Old Oak Common and Birmingham.”

Haigh was then asked by Times Radio if there will be an announcement in the Autumn Budget, she responded, “It may be made around those decisions.”

Shadow education secretary Damian Hinds told Times Radio, “It is really important that we get transport infrastructure right, clearly.

“But clearly that also has to be weighed against cost.

“And one thing we know about this Labour Government in its rather chaotic early days is that the numbers just are not adding up.

“And clearly they are going to have to think very, very long and hard about what they can spend on and indeed how they’re going to raise money.”