WHAT A SURPRISE! The company backing the HS 2 rail scheme has stated that it will create £15bn to the economy. Not a bad return for a £150bn investment, is it? Don’t make me laugh. I have never known any government-backed plan that didn’t cost twice the original forecast. It makes the billion pounds needed to build the M4 relief road in Newport look like pin money. As usual, anything that increases the London economy is funded by every taxpayer; however, when it comes to Wales, we are to raise the funding by way of bridge tolls. Tells you all you need to know about this government’s attitude to our economic welfare, doesn’t it?

Malcolm M Richards Aberthaw Road Newport