Madness': HS2 spent 37m buying homes on already-axed routes

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"HS2 has been accused of madness after new figures reveal it has spent 37m of taxpayers' cash buying up homes long after parts of the high-speed rail line were scrapped. Two years ago, then-prime minister Rishi Sunak scrapped phase 2 of the HS2 line from the West Midlands to Manchester but The Independent can reveal that bosses continued to purchase properties along the now-axed route, shelling out 25.5m on 25 sites until October this year."

Donations fund on-the-ground journalism that covers issues from reproductive rights to climate change and examines facts separate from political messaging. The outlet relies on voluntary support and avoids paywalls to keep reporting accessible to all and paid for by those who can afford it. HS2 spent 37m buying homes long after parts of the high-speed rail line were scrapped, including 25.5m on 25 western-leg sites and 11.7m on 30 eastern-leg properties. Several purchases exceeded 1m, three exceeded 2m, and five were in Altrincham. Purchases were continued to honor contracts begun before cancellations; phase 1 will run between London and Birmingham.

Read at www.independent.co.uk