HS2's Soaring Costs: A Cautionary Tale for Infrastructure Projects The latest development in the beleaguered HS2 project is a stark reminder of the pitfalls that can arise when grand ambitions meet fiscal realities.
The transport secretary's announcement that the project could cost up to £102. 7bn, with trains now expected to start running between 2036 and 2039, is a far cry from the original plan.
The most striking aspect of this revised forecast is not just the eye watering price tag but also the fact that two thirds of the increase in costs can be attributed to an underestimate by the previous government.