Quote Originally Posted by xsnaggle View Post
You have already touched on the problem with this, as the money hasn't been spent yet it wouldn't be a real saving at all.
Also as I mentioned in another thread, when the economy is on its arse Governments often fund major civil infrastucture projects to get men to work and to stimulate the economy. Autobahns and the Hover Dam are 2 that spring to mind.
I have no problem with infrastructure projects per se and understand your argument. Phase 1 of HS2 is an unnecessary project - just to get a very few people from London to Birmingham a bit quicker. Some of the money (a fraction of the total actually) should be spent on connecting the major cities in the Midlands and the North.