The cost of building the HS2 railway line is nine times higher than it would be in France , a damning report concludes today . A House of Lords committee says the £50billion project should be stopped in its tracks until ministers can make a stronger case for it . Their report – The Economics of High Speed 2 – says the Government 's sums do not add up . They claim ministers have failed to consider an alternative to spending £50billion on one line , asking : 'How much could be achieved if that money were invested differently ? Scroll down for video . Criticised : A House of Lords committee has called for the £50billion HS2 project ( artist 's representation ) to be scrapped arguing that ministers have not made a good enough case for its construction . 'The cost per mile of HS2 is estimated to be up to nine times higher than the cost of constructing high speed lines in France . ' The report by the economic affairs committee concludes the Government has many questions to answer on cost , benefit , reducing overcrowding and helping the regions . It adds : 'Parliament should not approve the enabling legislation that will allow HS2 work to begin until we have satisfactory answers to these key questions . ' The first phase of HS2 , from London to Birmingham , is due to open in 2026 , with a second Y-shaped phase to Manchester and Leeds due for completion around 2032/33 . The report says HS2 is supposed to rebalance the economy but it is London rather than the Midlands or the North that is likely to be the biggest beneficiary . Lord Hollick , chairman of the Lords committee , said : 'At £50billion , HS2 will be one of the most expensive infrastructure projects ever undertaken in the UK but the Government have not yet made a convincing case for why it is necessary . 'The committee are supportive of investment in rail infrastructure , but are not convinced that HS2 as currently proposed is the best way to deliver that investment . ' Joe Rukin , of the Stop HS2 Campaign , said : 'This is surely another nail in the coffin of HS2 . The case for HS2 has been ripped apart again so thoroughly that cancelling the white elephant is surely now the only option . ' Waste of money : The report says HS2 is supposed to rebalance the economy ( graphic from 2013 ) but it is London rather than the Midlands or the North that is likely to be the biggest beneficiary . The report is a serious blow to Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin . However the Department for Transport insisted HS2 would deliver more than £2 of benefits for every £1 invested . In a statement , it said : 'The case for HS2 is crystal clear . It will have a transformational effect , supporting growth in the North by improving connectivity , freeing up space on our crowded rail network , promoting regeneration , boosting local skills , generating tens of thousands of jobs and helping secure the UK 's future prosperity . ' On HS2 's ability to relieve congestion , the peers said full information on passenger numbers had not been made available by the Government on grounds of commercial sensitivity . They said the target price for phase one of HS2 gives an average cost of around £90million per kilometre . The French TGV network cost £9.7million a kilometre .
House of Lords committee says ministers have not considered alternative . Claim HS2 line would cost 'nine times more ' in UK than it would in France . The first phase of HS2 from London to Birmingham is due to open in 2026 . Comment: Lords argue London rather than the Midlands or the North will benefit most .