The UK cancels its new high-speed train that was coveted by ACS and Ferrovial

Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Rishi Sunakshe announced Cancellation of the second phase of the HS2 high-speed train project Which sought to unite the cities of Birmingham and Manchester in order to improve links between the north of England, its capital, London, and the central region of the country. The first phase of it, which is currently under construction, was Operation in 2026 But it has been postponed to 2033. Subsidiaries of the Spanish construction companies ACS and Ferrovial are participating in it, which have active contracts worth 1,800 million euros. Although they will not be affected by the cuts in the plan, They have in the past shown interest in participating in the now neglected expansion.

The British government had planned to extend the future high-speed line to Manchester and Leeds, adding 330 kilometers of track to the first phase, but it was cancelled. Indefinitely By the Sunak government. Initially scheduled to open in 2033, recent deadlines have pushed the opening to 2041. The line aims to connect London to the coastal city in one hour and 20 minutes.

It was a project Criticized because of its high costWhich the British government estimates at £106 billion (€125 billion), compared to the £33 billion (€38 billion) initially planned. “We will reinvest every penny36,000 million British pounds (41,400 million euros), In hundreds of new transportation projects in the north and center of the countrySunak said at the annual conference of the British Conservative Party, his first as party leader.

The Prime Minister intends to allocate this large sum of money to a series of rail and road projects that he believes will deliver benefits more quickly than HS2. It was the decision He was rejected by multiple personalities of his own The party is due to the proximity of local elections that must be held next year, which may affect the electoral prospects of mayors and public representatives in cities where the train will no longer reach.

ACS and Ferrovial are interested in the second phase

The HS2 project had a noticeable Spanish accent. Construction companies ACS and Ferrovial were part of the construction of the first phase of the project and They aspired to seize a split secondTo the point of expressing his interest in participating in Birmingham along with Manchester and Leeds.

Through their subsidiary, Florentino Pérez’s team was responsible for two main sections of the project: the Euston Tunnels, in London, and the Chiltern Tunnels, on the outskirts of the British capital. the first They seem doomed to failure due to their high costBut Sunak confirmed it would eventually be built. The value of both contracts exceeds 1.3 billion euros.

For its part, Ferrovial is participating with its subsidiary BAM Nuttall in a consortium responsible for the 80-kilometre extension. It is divided into two parts, and includes a 1.6 km tunnel under Long Itchington Wood and a 2.6 km Delta Junction bridge. The value of both contracts is 500 million euros. Sector sources confirm that the cancellations announced by Sunak do not affect any of the two construction companies whose contracts are still valid and whose projects are under implementation.