HS2 threatens by stealth to gobble up all available cash for rail | Nils Pratley
(The Guardian Business News)

A rethink about the benefits of HS2 could end up with better rail services for the northWhatever else it is, HS2 is a marvel of the lobbyist´s art. Even as cost estimates climb to unimagined heights, the cry is heard that the high-speed railway must be built in full anyway. As recently as last summer, ministers vowed that £55.7bn was the `only` budget. Now we´re up to a possible £106bn, according to the FT´s report on the official review, and still the chorus from HS2´s fan club remains the same.The British Chambers of Commerce, a chief cheerleader, was at it again on Monday. `While there can be no blank cheque, cutting the project back would put development and investment plans across the country at risk,` said director general Adam Marshall. Continue reading...