MediaResponding to work starting on the first HS2 tunnel between Old Oak Common and Euston station, Sam Richards CEO of pro-growth campaign group Britain Remade, said:
“Today may be hailed as a milestone for HS2, but it also highlights the deep crisis in Britain’s ability to build the infrastructure we need.
“The reality is that Britain builds railways at eye-watering costs. HS2’s price tag dwarfs similar projects in Europe, ballooning because of over-specification, absurd mitigations like the £125 million bat tunnel designed to protect a handful of bats, and never-ending legal challenges enabled by a broken system of judicial review that encourages frivolous lawfare.
“Projects like HS2 are expensive and take so long to deliver because of the choices made by successive governments, including this one. With the new Planning Bill now law Ministers must not think it’s job done for planning reform and continue to slash the red-tape and bureaucracy that stops Britain building. Until then, projects like HS2 will keep draining the economy rather than boosting it.”