‘How about spending some of HS2’s £33billion on bike infrastructure?’

Yesterday (Thursday May 17th) the National Audit Office said the economic benefits of the HS2 high-speed railway project are ‘unclear’, as reported by the BBC.

Casting doubt on the project’s ability to generate growth and jobs, the NAO also pointed out there was a £3.3bn funding gap.

Opposition to HS2 have seized upon the report – and supporters have poured scorn on it. Sustrans, however, has argued that the money could be used to transform public transport and cycle infrastructure with long-term benefits for the country.

Sustrans policy director Jason Torrance said: “The high level of investment and long term vision for HS2 is welcome but £33 billion is a lot of money which, if spent wisely, could totally transform local public transport services that people use every day.

“If this significant investment was spent making it easier for people to walk, cycle and take public transport for their everyday journeys, we’d see our local economies thrive and we’d all be healthier and more active, saving the NHS billions.”