THE future of HS2 has been called into question by the government’s official infrastructure watchdog.

A new report published on Thursday, July 20, by the Infrastructure and Projects Authority (IPA) applies ‘red’ status to the London to Crewe section, meaning 'successful delivery' of the multi-billion-pound rail project seems to be 'unachievable’.

The Phase 2b section, from Crewe to Manchester, was given ‘amber’ status, meaning successful delivery is still ‘feasible’, but ‘significant issues already exist, requiring management attention’.

According to the IPA, ‘successful delivery’ means the project will be delivered on time, on budget, and meeting all its original aims and objectives.

Campaigners against HS2 in Cheshire have welcomed the report, saying it confirms communities would be better served by upgrading existing lines, including more capacity, and electrification to make services more sustainable.

Cheshire West and Chester councillor, Mark Stocks, said: “This report shows there’s a high risk around the successful delivery of the scheme, it’s not value for money, and the environmental impacts are significant.

“The original budget was around £40 billion, and it’s already risen to around £100 billion, and that’s based on prices two or three years ago. Inflation in highways costs is now around 40 per cent, so the real cost is going to much more.

“If it was value for money when it was £40 billion, you can’t possibly what's being spent on it now, with very little benefit for residents across Cheshire.

“The government says it will increase capacity on the railways, but there are much cheaper and simpler ways to achieve this, like increasing the length of station platforms so they can operate longer trains.

“In my view, if you scrapped the new section from Crewe to Manchester, it wouldn’t have a detrimental effect as passengers could finish their journey on existing lines, especially if services were improved.

“If it goes ahead as planned, the disruption to the local economy is going to be significant.

“If you go to the Rudheath roundabout, there are some minor gas works in the field adjacent to the A556, and it’s causing a lot of traffic congestion.

“Only one lane is closed, but even this diverts traffic on to the country lanes and through villages, and they become rat runs. This includes heavy goods vehicles. It’s not sustainable.

“This is just a fraction of the disruption we’ll have when they start constructing HS2.”

HS2 have downplayed the finding of the report, suggesting the ‘red’ rating has arisen from ongoing problems around Euston Station, the line’s London terminus.

An HS2 spokesman said: “HS2 is now hitting peak construction, with work intensifying and huge civil engineering structures taking shape along phase one of the route.

“Our priority is to maintain the fantastic momentum already underway to ensure the initial high-speed services – connecting Old Oak Common and Birmingham Curzon Street – are operational by the current target of the early 2030s.”