Rachel Reeves confirms HS2 will run to London Euston

by · Mail Online

Tunnelling work to bring HS2 into London Euston will receive the 'funding required', Rachel Reeves has confirmed.

The Chancellor said the track will run into the central London hub but did not give a figure for how much the work will cost.

However, the commitment is thought to be worth about £1billion.

The money does not cover building a station at Euston. Instead, officials hope the private sector will step in to invest in one.

There had been fears that the track would end at Old Oak Common, in north West London, leaving passengers to travel into central London via other means.

But the announcement gives the guarantee that it will now connect central London with Birmingham.

Tunnelling work to bring HS2 into London Euston will receive the 'funding required', Rachel Reeves has confirmed
Speaking after the Budget, Transport Secretary Louise Haigh said: 'It would make absolutely no sense to end HS2 in Old Oak Common'
Questions over the future of Euston station were raised when Rishi Sunak cancelled the Birmingham to Manchester section of the HS2 scheme last year
The HS2 project is shown in 2020 (left) and 2024 (right) in these National Audit Office maps
In a massive Budget package that left Westminster stunned, Rachel Reeves moved to forge a 'Red Britain' as she shifted the UK towards a European high-tax, high spending model

Speaking after the Budget, Transport Secretary Louise Haigh said: 'It would make absolutely no sense to end HS2 in Old Oak Common.

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Transport Secretary Louise Haigh confirms HS2 WILL run to Euston despite multi-billion pound cost

'That's why this Labour Government is doing the right thing and delivering HS2 to Euston - bringing the line to the heart of the capital.'

The Euston tunnel will carry HS2 trains between Euston and Old Oak Common, which is a distance of 4.5 miles.

Part of the line's original route, taking it from Birmingham to Leeds and Manchester, has been ditched by previous Tory governments.

The Chancellor also said an Office for Value for Money will 'help us realise the benefits from every pound of public spending'.

Ms Reeves confirmed the new quango would be chaired by David Goldstone, who will advise on decisions for the spending review.

Motorists on the M6 Motorway pass a construction site of the HS2 high-speed railway line project in Water Orton
Ms Reeves confirmed the new quango would be chaired by David Goldstone (pictured), who will advise on decisions for the spending review

But questions were raised about the appointment criteria for the independent role given some of his career history. Mr Goldstone previously worked on the chaotic HS2 rail project, and Parliament's Restoration and Renewal project which has been beset with delay.

He also worked on the successful 2012 Olympics project, though this ran three times over budget.

Ms Reeves told MPs: 'I can confirm today that David Goldstone has been appointed as the chair of the new Office for Value for Money to help us realise the benefits from every pound of public spending.'