What are the main challenges faced by the HS2 project?

The National Audit Office (NAO) publishes a report on HS2's progress and finance issues. The report finds that the project is facing cost and schedule delivery problems and should be delayed by a year. The NAO also said the HS2 team was looking to reduce costs, with a delay potentially helping them with budget issues.



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The HS2 Action Alliance criticised the Department of Transport's demand forecasts as being too high, as well as having other shortcomings in the assessment methodology. Action Groups Against High Speed Two (AGHAST) claimed in 2011 that the project was not viable economically.

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Northern HS2 line set to be scrapped with costs 'out of control', Sky News understands. The planned railway - announced by the last Labour government but backed by successive Tory administrations - is intended to link London, the Midlands and the North of England but has been plagued by delays and rising costs.

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As the low carbon alternative for long distance travel, HS2 will help the country's fight against climate change. It will take cars and lorries off the roads and reduce the need for domestic flights, making transport, Britain's largest carbon emitter, more environmentally friendly.

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It will significantly increase rail capacity. It will create greater opportunities for businesses to connect with each other and this will make the areas served by HS2 more attractive places for businesses to grow and to locate.

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The HS2 rail project is delayed in part because the British railway sector suffers from dated practices and infrastructure held over from when it was pioneered in the 19th century said John Kelsey (UCL Bartlett School of Sustainable Construction).

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How much will tickets cost? There is likely to be a premium of between 20 and 33 per cent for using the fast service. That would in theory push the cost of a London-Manchester Anytime ticket from £180 to £240 at 2020 prices, which works out at 6p per second.

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Political parties The UK Independence Party (UKIP) is opposed nationally and locally to the proposed HS2 plans. UKIP has been campaigning against HS2 as it is also part of the EU's Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) Policy.

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HS2 will also play a crucial role delivering Northern Powerhouse Rail – the backbone for an integrated northern rail network. Together these better connections will help to level-up the country.

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While HS2 Ltd. has failed to meet the key schedule performance mark, it says it remains on course to complete the work well in the range of 2029 to 2033. But when the line will reach the central London terminal at Euston is still unknown. With costs rising, the government paused work at Euston in March.

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HS2 Ltd's destruction of ancient woodland and veteran trees is unacceptable. We'll keep pushing hard to save these precious habitats.

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HS2 will be delayed by another two years and major roadbuilding schemes will be mothballed, ministers have confirmed, after soaring inflation added billions to the cost of transport infrastructure projects.

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