Get on and build HS2 because poor infrastructure is letting UK down, warns project's ex boss

By Jonathan Owen2019-02-07T06:00:00

David Higgins and Lord Deighton at HS2 site

Source: John Stillwell/PA Archive/PA Images

David Higgins says national competitiveness at risk if government fails to commit to building line

The former chair of HS2 has said pulling the plug on the scheme would risk the UK slipping behind its peers because crucial infrastructure here is not up to scratch.

David Higgins – who stepped down last year after four years in the role – told Building in an interview that the government needed to keep its nerve and commit to building the line, the first phase of which will run from London to Birmingham.

The former Network Rail chief executive said: “People forget how bad and how challenging it is to run the existing network.

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