Britain to go ahead with HS2 rail project

The British government on Tuesday approved its controversial High Speed 2, or HS2 rail project linking London with the north of England, despite concerns about its budget and environmental impact.

The British Prime Minister Boris Johnson approved the entire project in a statement to Parliament, estimating that it will cost 106 billion pounds ($137 billion).

The project has been fiercely opposed by environmental campaigners and has been hit by construction delays and spiraling costs.

An independent review commissioned by the government recommended that the full project should go ahead, after years of work preparing the phase one route between London and Birmingham. Supporters say it will regenerate the economy by boosting capacity and cutting journey times.

"Today the Cabinet has given high speed rail the green signal," Johnson told the House of Commons. Johnson also criticized the HS2 company's management of the project, and in an effort to "restore discipline to the program" he said he would appoint a minister whose full-time job will be to oversee HS2.

"I cannot say that HS2 Limited has distinguished itself in the handling of local communities. The cost forecasts have exploded, but poor management to date has not detracted from the fundamental value of the project."

He said that phase one of HS2 is estimated to cost 35-45 billion pounds in today's prices, with services running by "the end of the decade". The second phase to Manchester and Leeds was due to open in 2032-33, but its completion is now estimated for 2035-40.

Johnson said he hoped if work started immediately that trains "could be running by the end of the decade".

HS2 has been the subject of years of intensive lobbying from politicians and opposition groups. Several environmental organizations claim building it will cause huge damage to natural habitats.

Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn said the Labour Party supports HS2 as a means "to boost regional economies and slash climate emissions". He added: "HS2 must be developed with more sensitivity to local communities and the environment, particularly regarding the impact it will have on woodlands.

"And if it is to have public support the fares on HS2 must be affordable. Can the prime minister tell us where the trains will be built? Will those jobs and training be in this country?"