For Immediate Release
Yesterday the House of Commons library published a briefing note on the business case for HS2, revealing that HS2 Ltd and the Department for Transport (DfT) were aware that costs would be £9bn more (£65 billion) than public estimates, but chose not to share this information with the public.
Responding to this new briefing, John O'Connell, Chief Executive of the TaxPayers' Alliance said:
"It's really quite shocking that both HS2 Ltd and Department for Transport (DfT) officials hid this information from the public. Taxpayers have a right to know how much money is being spent on HS2, especially as the case for this vanity project grows weaker by the day.
"£65 billion would be enough to implement several infrastructure projects which would drastically improve transport networks in regions outside of London. The next Prime Minister must urgently review the case for HS2, and consider the opportunity cost of not investing in popular and positive alternatives."
TPA spokesmen are available for live and pre-recorded broadcast interviews via 07795 084 113 (no texts)
Media contact:
Chloe Westley
Campaign Manager, TaxPayers' Alliance
chloe.westley@taxpayersalliance.com
24-hour media hotline: 07795 084 113 (no texts)
Notes to editors:
- Founded in 2004 by Matthew Elliott and Andrew Allum, and now with 80,000 supporters, the TaxPayers’ Alliance (TPA) fights to reform taxes, reduce spending and protect taxpayers. Find out more about the TaxPayers' Alliance at www.taxpayersalliance.com.
- TaxPayers' Alliance's advisory council.
- Earlier this year, former Cabinet Minister David Davis MP launched a TPA report detailing 28 local and national transport infrastructure projects that could be funded if High Speed 2 (HS2) was scrapped.
- Last month the House of Lords Economic Affairs Committee published a report which called on the government to rethink HS2, stating that "the costs do not appear to be under control".