Committee warns NPR may repeat HS2 failures

A parliamentary committee has warned that the government's flagship Northern Powerhouse Rail project risks repeating the failures of the HS2 high-speed line, with no convincing plan to deliver it within a £45 billion budget. The Public Accounts Committee raised concerns in a report published on July 1, questioning the decision to involve the company behind HS2 in developing plans for the new northern network.

The government announced its commitment and funding for NPR in January, pledging a transformative "turn up and go" railway across the North of England. The project, first announced in 2014, aims to connect cities including Liverpool, Manchester, Leeds, and Sheffield through new lines and upgrades. The government has outlined a phased approach, with simpler upgrades expected in the early 2030s and a new line from Liverpool to Manchester and into West Yorkshire targeted for the 2040s.

However, the committee's report highlights considerable uncertainty, including over final journey times, capacity, exact routes, and construction responsibilities. MPs expressed particular alarm that the Treasury's £45 billion funding cap was set before the entire project was fully designed,...