Central London leg of HS2 expected to be spared axe

Rishi Sunak is poised to announce that he is scrapping the northern leg of HS2 and reinvesting “every penny” in regional road and rail schemes.

The prime minister believes the rationale for HS2 is based on “old assumptions” and will abandon plans to build the line between Birmingham and Manchester. However, following intense cabinet lobbying, he is expected to say that the line will terminate at Euston in central London rather than Old Oak Common in west London.

He is likely to confirm the decision tomorrow in his speech to the Conservative Party conference in Manchester.

Under the plans, the money the government would have to spend on the northern leg — about £36 billion — will be reinvested in the Midlands and the north.