HS2, the high-speed railway project, is currently under scrutiny for spending over £100m on a structure to protect bats along a section of the line in Buckinghamshire. The chairman of the project, Sir Jon Thompson, defended the expenditure by stating that the curved 1km structure at Sheephouse Wood is designed to allow bats to fly over the railway without being disturbed by passing trains. While acknowledging that there is no evidence that high-speed trains interfere with bats, the structure is being built to comply with regulations and protect the legally guarded creatures.
During the Rail Industry Association’s annual conference in London, Sir Jon revealed that the building, dubbed as a “shed,” was constructed to appease Natural England and cost over £100m. He highlighted the challenges faced by major infrastructure projects in the UK, citing the numerous consents required from public bodies related to planning, transport, and the environment. The chairman emphasized the importance of considering all factors, including the protection of wildlife, when budgeting for large-scale projects.
Despite the high cost of the bat shed, Sir Jon mentioned that other options were explored, such as boring a tunnel or rerouting the railway, but were deemed more expensive. The approval process for the design involved significant expenditures on legal and environmental consultations due to initial opposition from the local council. Ultimately, the project obtained planning permission by navigating through bureaucratic obstacles.
Sir Jon took over the leadership of the HS2 project after the departure of the former CEO, Mark Thurston, in September 2023. He raised concerns in January about the escalating costs of phase one, which are now estimated to reach up to £66.6bn. The initial projected cost of HS2 in 2013 was significantly lower at £37.5bn (in 2009 prices) for the entire network, including extensions that have since been canceled.
The story of the expensive bat shed on the HS2 railway line sheds light on the intricate process and challenges involved in executing major infrastructure projects. While the cost may seem exorbitant, the commitment to environmental conservation and compliance with regulations are essential aspects of such developments. The case serves as a reminder of the complexities faced by organizations undertaking large-scale initiatives and the need to balance various considerations to ensure successful and sustainable outcomes.
