But Yurp is our hero

The planned high-speed rail line connecting London and northern England may cost as much as 80 billion pounds ($125 billion), more than projected by the government, according to the Institute of Economic Affairs. Lobbying from local officials for new links to the line, known as HS2, and changes to the route due to opposition from residents will probably add about 30 billion pounds to the project’s total cost, the institute will say in a report to be published tomorrow. The government now estimates expenses at 42.6 billion pounds, according to the report. Enlarge image Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne "The British economy is on the mend -- but there is still a long way to go and I know things are still tough for families," Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne said yesterday. Photographer: Simon Dawson/Bloomberg HS2 relies on a “flawed” business case and there are better options for improving U.K. railroads, according to the website of the HS2 Action Alliance, a nonprofit organization working with community groups to oppose the project. Alistair Darling, a former Labour head of the U.K. Treasury, has said he is an “HS2 skeptic.” Bloomberg