• DID the HS2 review not include an investigation as to why it was only after royal assent for the bill was given that all the excess in costs came to public attention, when no longer at risk of the bill not passing into law?

When did those responsible for sponsoring the bill become aware of the excess? What did the transport secretary (Patrick McLoughlin, Chris Grayling, et al) know and when did he (they) know it? Or is this how every infrastructure project gets done – shoot the bill first and ask questions later?

If so, it makes me very sad that we live in a country where the planning laws can be so easily manipulated, on so vast a scale. It seems rats do not leave a sinking project after all.

CLAIRE LAZENBY
Mornington Terrace, 
(near the Camden Cutting at the Euston Throat)