Boris Johnson is heading for a rebellion by up to 60 Conservative MPs by giving the go-ahead for the controversial £100bn flagship rail project HS2
The go-ahead for HS2, which will eventually slash journey times between London and the north of England, is seen as a move to repay northern voters who swept Mr Johnson into Number 10 in December.
Nearly 60 Conservative MPs are backing an HS2 Review Group, a caucus of Tories opposed to the scheme including a number of new MPs elected to the Commons in the December election.The Taxpayers' Alliance has also condemned the go-ahead. Spokesman Harry Fone said:"This announcement is a massive blow to the taxpayers of today and tomorrow who will be left paying for the HS2 white elephant with no light at the end of the tunnel.
The prime minister is said to want to see the biggest infrastructure revolution since Victorian times and has even ordered civil servants to carry out a feasibility study for a £20bn bridge between Scotland and Northern Ireland. In backing HS2, the prime minister is overruling his controversial special adviser Dominic Cummings, who has described it as"a disaster zone" and his transport adviser Andrew Gilligan, who have both argued for the project to be scrapped.Chancellor Sajid Javid
United Kingdom Latest News, United Kingdom Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Prioritise Liverpool-Leeds rail link over HS2, says BurnhamManchester’s mayor says the Transpennine railway line is more important for northerners than HS2
Read more »
HS2: PM urged 'to go full speed ahead' on rail scheme by former rival Jeremy HuntAn ex-cabinet minister says he is 'ashamed' of the UK's rail network, as a northern leader offers a compromise to the government.
Read more »
HS2 trains to hit top speed on just half the lineTrains will only be able to travel at their top speed of 225 miles per hour (360kph) on less than half of HS2's 134 mile route between London and West Midlands, it has emerged.
Read more »
Boris Johnson to approve full roll-out of HS2, report saysReport comes after Johnson tells 10-year-old that with ‘a hole the size of HS2, the only thing to do is keep digging’
Read more »
HS2 explained: What is it and how much will it cost?It is a project beset by delays and controversy - but supporters say it will play a vital role in boosting the economy.
Read more »
Johnson plans £5bn bus funding ahead of HS2 announcementPM poised to approve controversial rail project as he unveils funding boost for depleted services
Read more »