HS2 rail labelled ‘overpriced’

Despite overall support for the scheme, a group of transport experts have warned that HS2 is an over-priced project that is likely to fail a number of its objectives.

A number of academics have listed a series of complaints about the current version, including the cost, emissions and poorer connetions on other parts of the railway.

Under its current design, HS2 is aiming to increase capacity and connections, regenerate the north and reduce climate impacts change. However, critics have suggested that other key rail lines, including those to Nottingham, Stockport and Wakefield, could face a decline.

The same critics have also questioned the designed speed of the project, which is set to be 240mph. Most continental high-speed trains covering larger distances travel up to 190mph. Such speeds, it is argued, push up the carbon emissions the government is committed to reducing.

Speaking to BBC News, Professor James Croll of University College London, told BBC News: "It is just vanity for the UK to have faster trains than the usual high-speed trains.

"The UK is far too small geographically to need an ultra-high speed network - by the time the trains get up to speed it will be almost time to slow them down again.

"The decision to design for 240mph has led to a succession of needlessly expensive knock-on effects in construction which will be saddling taxpayers with huge bills for a generation."

Although Parliament has approved the first two phases of construction, details of the plan are still subject to amendments, with some members of the House of Lords remaining opposed.