HS2 Ltd invests over £100 million in bat protection structure in Buckinghamshire

HS2 Ltd is spending over £100 million to build a bat protection structure in Buckinghamshire, according to chairman Sir Jon Thompson. This decision comes despite claims that high-speed trains do not harm bats. The structure will create a barrier for bats to cross above the railway. HS2 Ltd faced legal and planning challenges, requiring numerous consents from public bodies to proceed with the project. Natural England clarified that it did not mandate the structure's design or cost, but HS2 Ltd must comply with environmental regulations. The project's estimated cost has increased significantly since its initial budget in 2013.