High-speed rail link must be built, economists insist

Construction of the contentious £32bn high-speed rail line between London and Birmingham should start as soon as possible to help boost the UK’s construction industry and strengthen the country’s ageing infrastructure, according to a group of leading economists.

Lord Skidelsky and 27 others urged the government to give the green light to the £17bn first stage of the line, known as HS2, in a letter published in Friday’s FT. They point to research findings that the line, which in its second phase would be extended to Manchester and Leeds, could “support the creation of up to 1m British jobs”.

HS2 go-ahead sees mixed reaction

The government has approved plans for a new high-speed rail link between London, Birmingham, Leeds and Manchester known as HS2.