The High-Speed Gravy Train: Special Interests, Transport Policy And Government Spending

In the United Kingdom, ministers appear to have disregarded the economic evidence and have chosen to proceed with the HS2 project for political reasons. An analysis of the incentives facing transport policymakers provides plausible explanations for their tendency to favour a low-return, high-risk project over high-return, low-risk alternatives. The full cost of the project may reach as much as £80bn.