Row over costs of building HS2

Apr 12 2012 by Lawrence Poole, Buckinghamshire Examiner

A ROW has erupted over the supposed costs of building the HS2 line through the heart of the Chilterns.

Accusations have been made by a transport watchdog and Stop HS2 campaigner Keri Brennan that the budget for the rail link has risen by £4billion and could reach £50bn.

However, the government has denied such inflation and maintained the route is still projected to cost the same as it did before it was revised in January.

A figure in a document available from the Department for Transport website states that the capital cost would amount to £36.4bn but a spokesman said this figure included indirect taxation the government can recoup.

Mrs Brennan said: “The interesting point here is that all their benefits are in market prices and it’s standard practice to publish the costs in comparative terms.”

Transport Watch also issued a statement on the debate: “Is it not dishonest that ministers continue to cite the cost as £33bn when that value excludes trains costing £8bn, and tax?

“Adding those increases the headline cost to £50bn.”

John England, who lives in The Brow in Chalfont St Giles, which the London to Birmingham route will run underneath, said: “How much have they spent to date? I imagine, when you take into account the different factors, it will be 15 or 20 per cent over budget. It’s a massive waste of money.”