[wraymond]

There are clauses in all infrastructure projects to allow for unforeseen circs. Such as route changes.
Try telling that to those who's houses were compulsorily bought for less than market value (the owners were forced to comply with the Authority deciding to 'offer' what the owners paid some years before!) and were then sold to local authorities at higher prices.

The big deals attract only a limited field of contractors that have the plant etc for the work needed or advantageous hire availability. Ergo, the same old same old firms have deep contacts within the corridors.

There is, apparently, oversight on dealings and personal contacts but the oversighters apparently need others overseeing them.

I can understand why some feel the need to get from B'ham to London 20 minutes earlier, but to get from London to B'ham quicker?

Apologies to Brummies.