UK launches review into whether high-speed rail link should go ahead

Britain launched a review into whether a proposed High Speed 2 rail project connecting London to Birmingham, Manchester, and Leeds should go ahead, the transport ministry said on Wednesday. The project has faced criticism over its cost and if it would be better to spend money on boosting the number of trains on conventional services rather than by building a new high-speed connection.

"Investments must be subject to continuous assessment of their costs and benefits," transport minister Grant Shapps said on Wednesday. The review will be chaired by Douglas Oakervee and produce a final report by the autumn, the transport ministry said.