The government's HS2 Euston Station development has faced scathing criticism from a group of MPs in a recent report. The report, produced by the House of Commons' Public Accounts Committee (PAC), expressed concerns about the project's escalating costs, lack of clarity in objectives, and undisclosed risks.

Construction at Euston has been put on hold for the next two years, a decision that was met with criticism by the PAC. The committee called on the Department for Transport (DfT) to use this pause to establish clear expectations and designs for the station.

Committee chair Dame Meg Hillier highlighted the need for realistic costings, referring to the project's budget nearly doubling from £2.6bn to £4.8bn. The report emphasised that proceeding optimistically in an unclear direction was not the right approach for the HS2 Euston project.

The PAC raised concerns about the impact on the local community and the department's supply chain, as well as the potential challenges posed by inflation and the need to manage costs effectively. The report concluded that decisions must be made to ensure value for money without compromising the project's outcomes.

In March, the National Audit Office stated that the Department for Transport's attempt to reset and redesign the project had been unsuccessful. Furthermore, it highlighted the absence of evidence to demonstrate that the necessary conditions were in place to ensure value for money. The report from the public spending watchdog also revealed that the estimated cost for the station had reached £4.8bn, with the likelihood of further increase.