Isra-Mart srl: Government confirms delay to HS2 decision

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Transport secretary Justine Greening has announced that the government will delay a decision on the controversial High Speed Rail 2 (HS2) project until early next year.

The government was scheduled to rubberstamp the £34bn project before the end of the month after a consultation closed in July, although speculation was rife that it could delay the decision in order to explore alternative plans that limit the impact of the project on areas of the Chilterns.

Greening issued a written statement today confirming that the Department for Transport will not make any announcements until January.

"In order to ensure that my decision is based on a careful consideration of all relevant factors, I have concluded that I should allow myself until early in 2012 to announce my decisions," she said.

"I am therefore notifying the House that I will not be making a further statement on the subject of high speed rail this year, but I expect to announce my decisions in January."

The decision will come as a blow to supporters of the scheme, who fear that the government is wavering on its commitment to the line, which will cut journey times between London and the north and offer an alternative to domestic flights.

The proposed route from London to Birmingham through the Chilterns has sparked fierce opposition, forcing the government to consider a £500m tunnel to avoid the 250mph trains damaging the area's natural beauty.

Backers are worried that this could have huge implications for other parts of the route, potentially raising the overall cost and negating any ambitions to be low-carbon.

Opponents argue that HS2 will not displace any domestic flights and that the money would be better spent on improving the existing rail network.

However, a report last week from the Campaign for Better Transport, conservation groups, and train manufacturer Siemens argued that, if the project is well managed and the network powered using low carbon sources, it could deliver a net reduction in carbon emissions.