How does HS2 survive?

• I TOO am astounded that the question of HS2 is never discussed or brought up in the countless discussions in the media about how dire things are! (Strange how HS2 survives amid all these terrible cuts, November 24).

When it does come up it is referred to as a “vanity project” which we can ill afford. So why do we continue pouring taxpayers’ money into this bucket full of holes?

I appreciate a huge amount of money has already been spent and it would cost a lot to extract ourselves from all the contracts, but this has to be less than the projected cost of continuing, especially as this line is not needed.

Why not spend the money on the lines, existing and new, that are needed to connect northern towns together? I have a nasty feeling that this must be a question of “vested interest”. Why else do we continue with it?

It’s not even a party political hot chestnut as both Labour and Conservative governments have promoted it and allowed it to continue.

LIZ MESSECAR, NW1