The UK government is considering cancelling the second phase of the HS2 high-speed rail (HSR) project. The reason is that costs are rising due to significant delays. Current cost estimates show the government has already spent around €2.68 billion (GB£2.3 billion) on the second phase of the HSR line from Birmingham to Manchester, but suspending the northern phase would save up to €40 billion. Documents discussed at a government meeting suggest the €2.68 billion cannot be recovered now even if the project is cancelled. The move would be a further setback for the struggling project, which has already been scaled back north of Birmingham, with a planned eastern link to Leeds now planned to end in the East Midlands. The remaining parts of the project have been long delayed due to rising construction costs, and work on the final section into Euston station in London is now suspended. The government's own Infrastructure Control Authority warned in July 2023 that the project was unrealisable.
