Report finds HS2 plans went ahead without 'key evidence'

A report has found that plans for HS2 went ahead without 'key evidence.'

That's according to The Public Accounts Committee who say the Department for Transport buried a report into the HS1 London to Channel Tunnel line that would have undermined the case for HS2.

The sale of the Government's stake in Eurostar is "further evidence" ofassets being undervalued, according to the report by the Commons Public Accounts Committee.

In early 2015 the Government's 40% holding in the Channel Tunnel passenger train operator was sold for "almost double" the valuations of its financial advisers.

The committee also raised concerns about the Department for Transport's "unacceptable" two-year delay in publishing an evaluation of Britain's first high-speed rail line.

They claim it denied Parliament the ability to use"important information" when considering HS2 and the report "raises serious questions about the Government's approach to valuing public assets, as well as its commitment to considering the value for money of public spending on such expensive projects".

The government says HS2 is the only practical way to significantly increase rail capacity.