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Economic Development

HS2 to be given PM's approval but phase 2 will be reviewed

Cabinet is expected to take steps to address spiralling costs of the project following review by its former chairman

HS2 is due to receive the PM's backing(Image: HS2)

The Prime Minister is expected to confirm today the HS2 project will go ahead, bringing to an end months of speculation about its future.

An announcement is due to be made following a meeting of the Cabinet this morning during which the new high-speed line will be discussed.

Phase one of the scheme, between Birmingham and London, and phase 2a, between Birmingham and Crewe, will be given government backing.

But phase 2b, running from Crewe to Manchester and Birmingham to the East Midlands and Yorkshire, will come under review.

This will be designed to make sure it offers value for money and could lead to changes to the proposed route and stations.

Last year, Boris Johnson recruited former HS2 chairman Douglas Oakervee to carry out a review of the planned high-speed line amid a string of headlines about delays and spiralling costs.

In a separate move, managers at HS2 will lose responsibility for the upgrade of London Euston station where journeys on the new line would start and terminate.

The high-speed line will now terminate at Old Oak Common in west London for the first three years after HS2 opens after which a link to Euston is expected to launch.