Fact Check: "HS2 bat structure costs have skyrocketed from £100 million estimates!"
What We Know
The claim regarding the cost of the bat protection structure associated with the HS2 project is substantiated by statements from HS2 Ltd's chairman, Sir Jon Thompson. He indicated that the cost of the bat safety barrier, which is designed to protect rare bats in Buckinghamshire, has reached £100 million. This structure is a curved barrier that will cover the tracks alongside Sheephouse Wood, a location where Bechstein's bats, one of the UK's rarest species, are found. Sir Jon noted that this expenditure was necessary to comply with environmental regulations, even though he mentioned there was "no evidence that high-speed trains interfere with bats" (BBC, The Guardian).
Natural England, the body responsible for wildlife protection in the UK, clarified that while they did not mandate the construction of this specific structure, they provided input on the proposed mitigations (BBC). The costs associated with the bat structure have reportedly escalated due to various factors, including planning disputes and the need to accommodate future rail services, which led to an increase in the size of the structure (BBC).
Analysis
The evidence supporting the claim that HS2's bat protection structure costs have escalated to £100 million is robust. Sir Jon Thompson's statements at a rail industry conference provide a direct source of information regarding the costs and the rationale behind them. The context of the project highlights the complexities involved in major infrastructure developments, particularly concerning environmental regulations and the need for multiple consents from various public bodies (BBC, The Guardian).
Critically, the sources cited are reputable news outlets, which adds to their credibility. The BBC and The Guardian are known for their journalistic standards and fact-checking processes. However, it's important to note that while the costs are presented as necessary for compliance with environmental laws, there is ongoing debate about whether such expenditures are justified, with local authorities expressing concerns over the perceived excessive costs (BBC).
Conclusion
The claim that "HS2 bat structure costs have skyrocketed from £100 million estimates" is True. The evidence clearly indicates that the costs associated with the bat protection structure have indeed reached £100 million, as confirmed by HS2 Ltd's chairman and supported by multiple credible sources. The complexities of regulatory compliance and environmental protection have contributed to these escalating costs, which have sparked discussions about the financial management of large infrastructure projects.
Sources
- Bat safety barrier will cost £100m - HS2 chairman
- Why does it cost £100m for HS2 to protect bats?
- Cost of 'bat shed' to protect colony near HS2 has topped £100m, chair says
- HS2 spent £100mn on tunnel to protect rare bats
- HS2 boss says it was RIGHT to spend £100million on a tunnel for bats
- Cost of HS2 bat shed hits £100m
