For immediate release
Responding to reports the government has decided to proceed with HS2, Harry Fone grassroots campaign manager at the TaxPayers' Alliance said:
"This announcement is a massive blow to the taxpayers of today and tomorrow who will be left paying for the HS2 white elephant with no light at the end of the tunnel.
"The business case for HS2 was flawed from the start, offering little benefit to anyone outside the big cities, and nobody can comfortably say what the final bill will be.
"Going forward the government needs to stop HS2 Ltd calling the shots and work out how to keep costs down on a project which is already coming off the rails.”
TPA spokesmen are available for live and pre-recorded broadcast interviews via 07795 084 113 (no texts)
Media contact:
Harry Fone
Grassroots Campaign Manager, TaxPayers' Alliance
[email protected]
24-hour media hotline: 07795 084 113 (no texts)
- Founded in 2004 by Matthew Elliott and Andrew Allum, 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.
- In February 2017 the TPA estimated the cost of HS2 at between £90.8 billion and £99.9 billion.
- The TPA launched The Great British Transport Competition to find alternative transport infrastructure projects that deliver better value for money.
- In January, TPA chief executive John O'Connell wrote a letter to the prime minister laying out that the eventual costs of HS2, including associated expenditure and rolling stock, may be closer to £150 billion.