19.08.13
Double up
The new report from the IEA has presented HS2 as a project with costs spiralling out of control, missing out vital add-ons which will almost double the bill for taxpayers.
£42.6bn is already a staggering price tag, but this does include contingency money, as well as extra measures to placate campaigners – this has already been accounted for in the increase from the original £33bn budget.
Including every town’s regeneration plans and other transport links to join up with HS2 is also misleading. These areas will have a huge opportunity to grow and develop, but is the funding for such improvements the duty of HS2 Ltd?
Collating every possible cost, and replicating those that have already been considered, is simply an attempt to discredit the project in favour of investment that would benefit the IEA itself.
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