HS2: UK infrastructure watchdog condemns in scathing assessment as “unachievable”
A coruscating report has put the high speed rail project HS2 on the most serious level of fiscal mismanagement. The UK government appointed but independent watchdog, the Infrastructure and Projects Authority, has placed the multi-billion pound project to build a brand new dedicated high speed railway between London and Birmingham on the danger list, calling the project as it stands “unachievable”. The damning report flags up a deteriorating situation, as the project has slipped from merely an amber cause for considerable concern to an outright red for danger, with the so-called phase 2a (West Midlands to Crewe) section dramatically collapsing from a green light to danger in the space of just twelve months.
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But what were the main reasons for cost increases?
Too many tunnels where viaducts would also have been possible?
Too much emphasis on design speed where a lower speed would have allowed more options to circumvent costly sections?
Lack of standardisation and efficient production?
Costly changes after building contracts had been concluded?
Costly NIMBY actions (or tunnels for that reason)?
Costly “environmental” action (e.g. costly tunnels in or around sensible areas, with questionable effect)