The BBC has reported it has read a 'full and final version' of the Oakervee HS2 report and that it 'strongly advises against cancelling' the high-speed rail project, however, questions have been raised over the review's impartiality.
The report apparently argues that only building one section of the high-speed rail line 'doesn't make sense'.
The review of the project, which was established in the wake of spiralling cost estimates, was led by former HS2 chairman Douglas Oakervee.
It has been subject to controversy after its deputy chair Lord Berkeley, one of the few if not the only HS2-sceptic attached to the review group, walked away after seeing a draft in October.
Lord Berkeley described the review as a whitewash that failed to scrutinise the cost estimates or economic case sufficiently.
He said that the value for money calculation was based on the costs and revenue of running 18 trains an hour in each direction and pointed out in an open letter to Lord Oakervee last year that no high-speed rail line in the world runs 18 trains an hour - Japan has one that operates 15 at peak hours - and that 14 is more feasible.
Speaking to Transport Network Lord Berkeley says that what the BBC has reported is 'not what I read' in the October draft of the report.
'I suspect there has been continuous improvement [of the case for HS2] without anyone knowing,' he said and suggested the report had been edited.
While working on the review board Lord Berkeley said that civil servants were generally co-operative however it was impossible to get hold of certain documents and details related to costs for the project.
Even according to the review document the BBC has seen, the project could now cost up to double the official 2015 estimate of £56bn.
It warns there is a 'considerable risk' that the first phase of the project might need more money.
Reports suggest the Government is set to press on with the project, which would bring high-speed rail between London and Birmingham under phase one and then branch off into two spurs running up to Manchester and Leeds under phase 2.
Those opposed to the project claim the cash would be better spent on more local and regional schemes to support connectivity in the Midlands and the North.
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