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Northern rail scheme has ‘clear risk’ of exceeding £45bn budget, MPs warn
MPs said the rail scheme remains at an early stage after 12 years of planning and may face cost pressures from biodiversity and design requirements.
- On Wednesday, the Public Accounts Committee warned that Northern Powerhouse Rail faces a "clear risk" of exceeding its £45 billion funding cap, citing governance failures echoing HS2's troubled history.
- Labour MP Clive Betts, deputy chairman of the PAC, noted the project remains at an early stage despite 12 years of planning, saying HS2 Ltd's involvement "does not fill us with confidence."
- The report raised concerns that NPR may face cost pressures from planning and biodiversity requirements, questioning whether the Department for Transport can avoid "expensive measures" like HS2's costly bat tunnel.
- Rebecca Fitzgerald, president of the Bradford Chamber of Commerce, urged leaders to heed the "early warning signal" and ensure the scheme is delivered "on time and on budget."
- A Department for Transport spokeswoman said the government is taking a "disciplined, phased approach," working with mayors and Network Rail to complete technical work before finalizing infrastructure choices.
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Coverage Details
Total News Sources12
Leaning Left2Leaning Right1Center6Last UpdatedBias Distribution67% Center
Bias Distribution
- 67% of the sources are Center
67% Center
L 22%
C 67%
11%
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