Grant Shapps has hinted at a change to plans for HS2, as the northern section of the rail line looks set to be scrapped.
Sky News understands the high-speed line set to run between Birmingham and Manchester will be binned by the prime minister due to concerns over the cost of the much delayed project.
And it is still unclear if the final section between Old Oak Common in west London and the planned central destination at Euston will go ahead.
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Speaking to Sky News’ Sunday Morning with Trevor Phillips show, Mr Shapps would not confirm the reports, but he suggested there could be a change to the “sequencing” and “pace” of HS2 from the government.
“Money is not infinite,” said the former transport secretary, who is now in charge of the Ministry of Defence.
“The country has to respond to the circumstances. We did not know there would be coronavirus, a one in 100 year event… we didn’t know there would be a war on in Europe… so of course, if circumstances change you have to look at the sequencing of the big infrastructure cash that you spend.
“Any government that doesn’t do that, any opposition that claims you don’t need to, is not fit to govern this country.”