Anger Builds as Sunak Considers Shortening Flagship HS2 Project
- High Speed 2 is part of Conservative ‘leveling up’ program
- Former prime minister and mayors join chorus of criticism
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Rishi Sunak faced anger from UK business leaders, politicians across the spectrum and even a major donor as he considers whether to shorten a flagship rail project that may cost £100 billion ($123 billion).
The prime minister and chancellor are locked in talks over whether to halt the Birmingham-to-Manchester leg of High Speed 2 over mounting costs. A decision may come as early as this week, but the timing is awkward as the governing Conservatives gather for their annual conference in Manchester on Sunday.