Quick Sale of Land Safeguarded for HS2 Is a ‘Mistake,’ Warns Infrastructure Chief

In the wake of the decision to axe the northern leg of HS2, the government said that HS2 land safeguarding will be lifted ‘at the earliest opportunity.’

The Birmingham and Fazeley viaduct, part of the proposed route for the HS2 high speed rail scheme, in an undated handout photo. HS2/PA

The chair of the National Infrastructure Commission (NIC) has warned against the immediate sale of land acquired for the second phase of High Speed 2 (HS2), suggesting a pause of three years.

In the wake of the government’s decision to axe the northern leg of HS2, safeguarding of the land for the project will be lifted.