EUR 856.40 For Business Accounts Only

HS2 Construction Begins - Project needs Wider Investment to achieve high ambitions and overcome challenges

Summary

The high-speed rail network known as HS2, which is hoped to connect London, Birmingham, Manchester and Leeds upon completion in 2033, has officially begun construction as of 4th September 2020. HS2 has been controversial since its inception, with multiple campaign groups arguing that the promised economic and environmental benefits are deceptive and self-defeating. In a post-pandemic reality the HS2 has more to offer in the form of employment and economic stimulus than ever, but the risks of missing targets and delivering a failed project well over-budget are as just as high.

Key Highlights

- A pillar of the government’s argument for HS2 has been the economic benefits that would be brought to areas outside of London, on top of general economic growth. Faced with this escalating cost, it is important to identify the new economic benefits in the light of COVID-19. These newly-important benefits include employment opportunities, a boost for the construction industry, and the cultivation of skills hubs around the UK. There are also environmental targets which would benefit the UK’s emissions reduction plans if they were successful.
- However, in each case there are factors weighing against the project’s accomplishment of these aims. The government’s promise of 22,000 jobs over HS2’s supply chain is welcome, but its successful fulfillment is now vital. Job creation must be balanced with potential job losses associated with the project, and comparisons with Industry 4.0 highlight the complexity of the job transitioning required. The stagnant construction sector will receive a boost, but there are opportunity costs which threaten to outweigh this economic stimulus if the project’s budget continues to spiral out of control.
- In addition to securing sufficient economic benefits by reinvigorating the UK’s construction pipeline, HS2 brings the costly challenge of extrinsic infrastructure. Connecting four major cities will not be enough to significantly narrow the economic divide between London and the north. Additional transport infrastructure to ensure the quick continuation of journeys to other northern centers will be needed to improve the journey times originally promised by the Department for Transport (DfT). Extensive new green transport infrastructure will also need to accompany HS2 to encourage more people to turn away from private petrol-fueled vehicles and fulfill the long-term emissions goals associated with the project.

Scope

- See how the HS2 project is progressing
- Understand the arguments for and against the project
- See how likely it is that the project will be completed
- Learn how the project might benefit the UK economy

Reasons to Buy

- Why has HS2 been so controversial?
- Is the project likely to continue?
- Why has the project overrun both its budget and schedule?
- Is the project worth completing?