Mark Harper has shrugged off criticism that the prime minister pre-recorded his decision to axe the northern leg of HS2 days before announcing it.
The transport secretary has defended Rishi Sunak for insisting no decision had been made on scrapping part of HS2 - despite the prime minister recording a video about his announcement days earlier. Mark Harper told Sky News he did not know 'why people are getting so het up' on the issue, and work was done 'in advance'. On Wednesday, the prime minister finally confirmed that the northern leg of the high-speed line will be scrapped after weeks of speculation.
He said they are 'absolutely entitled to their opinion' but the facts have changed and the 'costs of the project have escalated'. The original projected cost of HS2 was £33bn but this soared to more than £100bn by some estimates. In his speech on Wednesday, Mr Sunak said axing phase two would free up £36bn for other transport projects in the North.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Rishi Sunak laughs as Susanna Reid grills him over 'letting down Manchester'Rishi Sunak has refused to deny he is scrapping the Birmingham to Manchester HS2 leg
Read more »
'Growing anger in Manchester' as minister all but confirms future of HS2 lineRishi Sunak will announce the Birmingham to Manchester HS2 line will be axed
Read more »
MP welcomes decision to reopen Oswestry to Gobowen rail linkRishi Sunak says money saved from scrapping HS2 will be reinvested in the Shropshire line.
Read more »
LIVE: HS2 updates as Rishi Sunak speaks after 'deciding to scrap Manchester leg'The Prime Minister has reportedly decided to scrap the Birmingham to Manchester leg
Read more »