High-speed rail link ‘essential’ insists PM

Prime Minister David Cameron yesterday said a new high-speed rail line was “essential” if the UK was to be a “winner in the global race”.

Mr Cameron was speaking in a question-and-answer session with members of staff at luxury car firm Bentley in Crewe, Cheshire, where more than 1,000 jobs are to be created.

The Prime Minister was asked what he thought the controversial HS2 rail development would bring to the country, particularly the north.

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He said: “I think it will bring a big benefit to a region like the North West and I think it will bring a big benefit to our country for this reason: I think if we want to be in the front rank of countries, if we want to be a winner in what I call the global race, then we’ve got to have a really fast and efficient transport infrastructure.

“I think when you look at what really makes a difference to the economic geography of a country it’s those big decisions to build the big motorway, to build the high-speed line as we did through the Channel Tunnel. It’s those decisions that can make a real difference to your country.”

HS2 is bitterly opposed by some residents and some councils.

Opposition to the scheme has grown since the Government revealed that the scheme’s cost, including contingencies, had risen around £9bn to more than £42bn.

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Phase one is now set to cost £21.4bn, with phase two, taking the line north from Birmingham in a Y-shaped route including Sheffield and Leeds, due to cost £21.2bn.

He said the new route would “shrink” the country “in terms of time” and add masses of capacity.

Mr Cameron added: “Other countries are joining the high-speed revolution. We’re a little bit behind so I think it’s right that we catch up.”

In May the National Audit Office warned of a £3.3bn gap in funding for the project and expressed “reservations” about the business case.