The HS2 project faces scrutiny as its chairman, Sir Jon Thompson, reveals that a bat protection shed in Buckinghamshire will cost £100 million. This structure, designed to shield bats from high-speed trains, is part of the project’s compliance with legal protections for the species. Thompson emphasized the complexities of meeting environmental requirements, citing the need for 8,276 consents from public bodies, contributing to significant budget overruns, now estimated at £66.6 billion. Critics argue that the costs for bat protection are excessive, underscoring the challenges of balancing infrastructure development and environmental conservation.