HS2 debate dominates the media as Johnson announces project review

The announcement of a review of the planned high-speed rail network’s value for money produced a veritable tsunami of commentary, with both pro and anti pundits convinced that they are in the right. Rik Thomas reports

Rik Thomas

30 August 2019

The media appears split down the middle as to whether HS2 is an absolutely vital infrastructure project or a potentially enormous white elephant

The announcement by the Government of a review into the HS2 high-speed rail scheme produced a large number of polarised media commentary pieces, both for and against the project.

“If Boris Johnson wanted Britain to lead the world, he’d stop hedging his bets and back HS2,” said Observer columnist Will Hutton, on 25 August, for example. “The thinking behind his new inquiry into high-speed rail is political, not economic.

“The foundations of the dynamic economies of...