WHEN we are compared to other countries in Europe, it is often asked why they can plan and build new lines faster than we can? One reason is they often already have infrastructure legislation in place that sets out procedures to be followed for how new railways or roads are to be built and thus they can avoid some of the pitfalls HS2 has met.
Simply think of the millions spent on court cases against HS2 – most of which had no chance of success but were still taken, and often by local authorities spending council taxpayers money.
The benefit of an infrastructure body [announced last month, with former Labour Lord Andrew Adonis in charge] will only come if clear legislation is introduced which sets out the rules when new infrastructure projects arise – something that needs to benefit both those in favour and opposed to schemes in laying out rules to be followed.