Boris Johnson vows to end HS2 dithering and come to high-speed decision over rail line’s future

BORIS Johnson has vowed to end the dithering over HS2 and come to a high-speed decision over the rail line’s future.

The PM will hold an emergency summit this week to find a way to get its spiralling budget back on track.

He has called in Chancellor Sajid Javid and Transport Secretary Grant Shapps for a three-way brain-stormer, telling them: “Let’s get this settled.”

Downing Street fear the row over HS2 risks becoming as divisive for the Government as the Brexit crisis.

Tories are split on whether to scrap the 250mph line linking London to Birmingham and the North amid claims the rocketing bill will hit £106billion.

But 80 MPs are demanding a meeting with the PM to seek assurances the flagship network will go ahead.

Former minister Andrew Mitchell said: “It’s very clear that our economic future and well-being are inextricably linked with HS2.”

And new MPs who helped Mr Johnson to election victory by storming the “red wall” of Labour seats say the project is vital to open up the North.

They have formed a new HS2 support group to take on “Nimby” colleagues in the Home Counties who want it stopped.

Tory Robert Largan, who won High Peak from Labour, said: “Boris Johnson has said he wants to be a big infrastructure PM who invests in the North.

“Northern voters who backed us at the election are crying out for this sort of investment.”

Mr Johnson and the two ministers he will meet at the end of the week are broadly in favour of going full steam ahead.

But a source said: “Before they proceed, they will want assurances it wont’ go from £106billion to £130billion, £180billion or £200billion.”

The Chancellor will be pivotal in swinging the final decision and former Chancellor George Osborne has urged him to find the cash, saying: “We can’t claim to be the party of the North and cancel the new North-South railway line.”

The Mayors of the West Midlands and Manchester — Andy Street and Andy Burnham — also insist it must go ahead.

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