A REVIEW of HS2 will decide whether the multi-billion pound rail project project should be scrapped.

Led by former HS2 Ltd chairman Douglas Oakervee, the Government-commissioned independent review will consider ‘whether and how’ it should proceed, the DfT said.

A final report will be sent to Mr Shapps with oversight from the PM by autumn.

Mr Shapps said: “The PM has been clear that transport infrastructure has the potential to drive economic growth, redistribute opportunity and support towns and cities across the UK, but that investments must be subject to continuous assessment of their costs and benefits.

“That’s why we are undertaking this independent and rigorous review of HS2.”