HS2 Review – Now is the Time to Reclassify the Project

The Welsh Liberal Democrats have responded to the news that HS2 is to be delayed beyond 2033, and to damning review into the project's management by the previous Conservative government, by calling for the immediate reclassification of the project as an "England-only" initiative.

According to the Welsh Lib Dems, unless the project is reclassified immediately, Wales is set to miss out on consequential funding for even more years than originally expected. They argue that the Treasury would be depriving Wales of billions of pounds in further infrastructure funding.

The Welsh Liberal Democrats have highlighted that they asked the Cabinet Office (which is responsible for devolution) just two weeks ago to implement the systemic changes needed to prevent repeated funding scandals by fully devolving rail to Wales. However, the UK Labour minister refused, demonstrating that Labour is content with a system that ensures Wales is deprived of infrastructure funding.

Responding, Welsh Liberal Democrat Westminster Spokesperson David Chadwick MP said:

“What we have seen today confirms what we have long known: the Conservatives’ mismanagement of HS2 was on a colossal scale, and Welsh taxpayers will be left picking up the cost for many, many years.

“But this Labour government now has the chance to correct at least some of these issues.

“Now is the time to reclassify the project as an ‘England-only’ project, to ensure Wales receives the consequential funding it is owed, funding that Scotland and Northern Ireland are set to receive.

“If Labour fails to do this, it only goes to show they are as incompetent as the Conservatives and are happy to starve Wales of the investment our public transport services desperately need.”

ENDS