Pundits turn against economic case for high-speed London-Birmingham rail link

As the Government launched its official consultation into the first stage of the planned high-speed rail link between London and Birmingham the news coverage of the story reported a wide range of views, both pro and anti. But the papers’ columnists, in contrast, appeared to be strongly against the plans.

`The announcement of the formal consultation on the Government’s proposed high-speed rail link between London and Birmingham, known as HS2, attracted a predictably large amount of media coverage toward end-February. And there appears to be a swing, in the media if not the public mood, away from HS2, with the majority of the editorials and columns concerning high-speed rail coming down against the concept. “Despite endorsing the strengthening of Britain’s infrastructure, this...

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