Government shows poverty of ambition over HS2 - TSSA

Transport and travel union TSSA has criticised the government’s decision to delay sections of the High Speed 2 (HS2) rail line saying it shows a ‘poverty of ambition’. 

In a written statement to the Commons Transport Secretary, Mark Harper, outlined the decision to delay by two years parts of the high-speed line, citing inflationary pressures.  

The phases will primarily affect the route between Birmingham and Crewe, and Crewe and Manchester. 

A TSSA spokesperson said - “Ditching or delaying parts of HS2 just goes to show the poverty of ambition we see all too often when it comes to this government and our railways.  

“HS2 is the key to our economy for decades to come and delays demonstrate just how hollow Ministerial promises of levelling up really were.  

“The fact is HS2 built in full would turbo charge local and regional economies, build superb new infrastructure and provide many jobs. Not only that – the government knows that HS2 is central to the future of our railways and that rail is the cleanest and greenest way to travel and transport goods. 

“This is a wholly short-sighted decision by a government unable to grip the future because it has been unable to grip inflation.”  

*TSSA is the recognised trade union for HS2 staff.