HS2 bosses squandering our cash on 17 PR firms

HS2 was accused of wasting taxpayers’ money last night as it emerged it has 17 public relations companies on its payroll.

The Department of Transport made the extraordinary disclosure in response to a parliamentary question over the number of agencies promoting the controversial £56billion project.

One firm, Hopscotch Consulting, was awarded a £280,000 contract to extol the benefits of HS2 in a course for primary school children living along the route.

It is among an army of more than 400 companies – including engineers, lawyers and recruitment firms – that hold publiclyfunded HS2 contracts.

The latest revelations have fuelled accusations that HS2 has become a ‘gravy train’ for highly

‘A never-ending gravy train’

paid lawyers and consultants, at vast cost to taxpayers.

Tory MP Andrew Bridgen said it was a ‘white elephant project’. He added: ‘The reason they need 17 PR companies is that the case for HS2 cannot be defended.

‘This project has already cost almost £3billion and not one yard of track has been laid.’

Jill Seymour, transport spokesman for Ukip, said: ‘This is a disgusting waste of our hard earned money on a project which is neither wanted or needed. It’s a never-ending gravy train.’

A HS2 spokesman said it ‘has a legal obligation to consult affected communities, support the bill’s passage through parliament, and help people and the supply chain understand how the project affects them’, adding: ‘ To this end, HS2 has engaged the support of various print, production, video and content creation, logistical, and events companies.’