Many different industries are reacting to the news that the Government has chosen to cancel the northern leg of HS2. Sadly, the majority of the backlash is negative. We want to have a closer look at the decision here. Then, if you need any help from the top architects in London, you can come to us.

The decision

HS2 has been the landmark infrastructure project in the UK for decades. The planning work has been underway for 15 years. Construction on aspects began in 2017. However, Rishi Sunak announced that the Government is to scrap the northern leg. As a result, there will no longer be a link between Birmingham and Manchester. The route between Manchester and Liverpool is also cancelled.

The Prime Minister gave reasons for the cancellation. He said the decision comes because “the facts have changed”. That means it was necessary to change direction.

One of the major things to change is the cost of the project. Most notable is the claim that HS2 would need more than double the original budget.

In addition, there are also concerns about the impact of covid and rail travel. More people work from home now, and fewer people are travelling by train. So, there are thoughts that passenger numbers would not be there for HS2.

What happens next?

As one of the top architects in London, there is a positive from the decision. The line from Birmingham to the capital will still be built, with a terminus at Euston. The station will still get a massive upgrade, however it will be a smaller scale with fewer platforms.

The Government is also promising to spend the £36bn budget on a Network North plan and projects in the Midlands. This will include a number of different investments, including road upgrades, electrifying rail lines, new stations, and rail links. The Prime Minster will ask local leaders in the north how they will propose to spend the money.

The reaction

As to be expected, most of the reactions to the announcement have been negative. There was criticism for how HS2 has been managed, particularly in terms of changes to the plan. The most damning is there have been four revisions in just three years. Critics point to this as a major cause of the increase in costs.

There are also concerns about the economic impact. For one thing, scrapping the scheme in the north will limit the number of freight trains that can run. There are also worries that the decision will impact confidence because it shows that some projects won’t materialise even after so many years of work.

A knock on affect is the climate impact. The goal with trains is services can transport more goods and people more efficiently than road vehicles. A single train can take dozens of vehicles off the road. That reduces emissions and other issues like congestion. However, the fear is the reduction in rail services could mean as many as 500,000 more lorries on roads every year.

Do you want to work with the top architects in London?

Coffey Architects is one of the best teams to work with if you are thinking about a project. We can look at all aspects, from ensuring the wellbeing of inhabitants to sustainability and the environment. Plus, we have a lot of experience when it comes to planning and actually getting projects off the ground. It can be vital for clients with unique ideas.

So, if you want to discuss anything with reliable, passionate architects in London, speak to us. We’ll help you envision your project and see it through.