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HS2 costs set to rise by £30bn, throwing future of high-speed rail project in
doubt

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   The HS2 high-speed rail project will cost up to £30bn more than
   expected, an internal review has warned – raising fresh questions over
   whether Boris Johnson will axe it.

   The final bill for building the network is likely to be between £70bn
   and £85bn – not the £56bn budgeted – HS2’s new chairman is believed to
   have told the Department for Transport (DfT).

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   The Tory leadership frontrunner has already appointed Douglas Oakervee,
   a former HS2 chairman, to carry out his own review of the project’s
   scope and costs, ahead of a decision in December.

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   off staff if work was put on hold any longer.

   Last week, HS2 announced it had abandoned its initial hunt for a
   contractor to build its station at Birmingham, after companies were
   unwilling to take on the risks associated with the £435m projected
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       Commons

   HS2 said it will rethink the procurement process for its Curzon Street
   station in order to reduce contractor risk and increase competition.

   An HS2 spokesperson said: “We don't comment on leaks or speculation.

   “We have previously noted that our chair, as you would expect,
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   Asked about the future of HS2 at a leadership hustings last month, Mr
   Johnson replied: “It is going to cause a great deal of difficulties for
   my constituency.
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   analysis “in due course”.
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   HS2 |  Boris Johnson |  Department for Transport |
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