‘Grand project’ transport schemes under attack from both left and right

Some of the biggest transport infrastructure schemes currently being promoted by the Government have been criticised by commentators from both sides of the left/right political divide in recent weeks. Rik Thomas reports

31 August 2018

Guardian columnist George Monbiot (left) was highly critical of the Oxford-Cambridge expressway in mid-August, whilst Daily Mail columnist Peter Oborne (right) objected strongly to the HS2 high-speed rail project

On 22 August Guardian columnist George Monbiot focused his attention on a nationally significant transport infrastructure project that has hitherto received scant attention in the mainstream media – the ‘Oxford-Cambridge expressway’ – a major road scheme between the two university cities.

“Where democracy counts most, it is nowhere to be seen,” Monbiot began, bemoaning an alleged lack of democratic consultation on the Government’s plans. “The...