HS2 'is affordable' says Adonis

摘要

'This project is affordable, if we as a country decide this is our next transport priority', Transport Secretary Lord Adonis said on March 11.rnPointing out that construction would not begin until Cross-rail had been completed in 2017, he said the rate of government spending would be 'broadly comparable with Crossrail.' Average annual expenditure during construction would be ￡2bn, with the highest spend in one year totalling ￡3.9bn.rnIncluding the Treasury's optimism bias, the 540 km Y-route is priced at ￡30bn, excluding rolling stock. This offers a benefitxost ratio of 2.4:1, which is above the 2:1 threshold for major projects. 'This is a strong BCR for a national infrastructure project', said Adonis, adding that 'we do notrnenvisage building new inter-city motorways over the next decade'.