Transport bosses still lack "a clear strategic plan for the rail network" and there are concerns over their ability to deliver HS2 on time and on budget, a report from an influential group of MPs has said.

The plans have been heavily criticised by the Public Accounts Committee, who called for the Department for Transport to set out a 30 year strategy instead of considering projects on a 'piecemeal' basis.

A report by the Public Accounts Committee said other projects should have been considered at the same time as HS2 and the DfT had been forced to extend timescales and budgets for other rail schemes.

The report said: "The Department still lacks a clear strategic plan for the rail network, and it is unclear how the Department makes decisions about which programmes to prioritise for investment. The Department acknowledged that one project can have an impact on other projects and routes, so it follows that programmes should be considered together. However, it did not provide a clear explanation for why an assessment of a high speed rail line between cities in the north of England (so-called High Speed 3) was not carried out before High Speed 2, to test whether improving connectivity in the north was a greater priority.

"We are also concerned that the Department continues to have a narrow geographical focus. For example, the Department is still to publish proposals for how Scotland will benefit from High Speed 2, including whether the route will be extended into Scotland."

It went on to say: "We remain concerned about the Department's ability to deliver on time and budget. On some past programmes, including modernisation of the West Coast Mainline and Thameslink, the Department has needed to extend timescales and alter its approach to bring programmes back on budget and schedule.

"The Department has a long way to go to prove that it is being more active in realising benefits from major programmes. There was insufficient planning for regeneration at Ebbsfleet in Kent, and the expected substantial economic benefits have not been delivered, despite High Speed 1 construction being completed seven years ago."

Chesham and Amersham MP Cheryl Gillan said after the report was published: "It is disappointing that five years into the HS2 project the Public Accounts Committee assesses that the Department for Transport still lacks a clear strategic plan for the rail network, has failed to fully justify the enormous expenditure on HS2, lacks the capacity and capability to deliver the projects successfully, and still doubts the deliverability of these projects within the earlier allocated budgets.

"The committee said there has been a piecemeal approach to the proposed rail building programmes, throwing doubt over the whole programme which basically requires enormously more amount of analysis and planning if it goes ahead.

"However, the fact remains that the highest price continues to be paid by the communities, businesses and individuals who live along the lines of these routes, who after five long years of agony still do not have the final compensation package or details of what land and properties will eventually be taken to fulfil HS2. Now would be a good time for government to stop and reassess in a holistic fashion the whole future rail network plans including value for money, connectivity, capacity, regeneration benefits, environmental damage and compensation."

The Department for Transport said in a statement: "HS2 will have a transformational effect, rebalancing the economy and helping secure the UK's future prosperity, providing high value for money to the taxpayer."