UK MPs Condemn HS2 Project for Cost Overruns and Mismanagement

A parliamentary report criticizes the UK's high-speed rail project for wasting billions, failing oversight, and tarnishing the nation's global reputation.

The Commons Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has labeled HS2 a 'casebook example' of mismanagement, citing wasted taxpayer funds and poor oversight.
The estimated cost of the scaled-down London-to-Birmingham line has ballooned to £80 billion, more than double its original budget of £37.5 billion.
A £100 million bat protection tunnel in Buckinghamshire is highlighted as an example of excessive spending and inefficiency within the project.
The government and HS2 Ltd have failed to agree on cost estimates, with figures ranging from £45 billion to £66 billion in 2019 prices, excluding inflation adjustments.
MPs warn that even the curtailed project may offer poor value for money and urge a 'fundamental reset' to salvage any benefits for taxpayers.