HS2 uses 17 PR firms

Jill Seymour, who is Ukip's transport spokesman, said questions needed to be answered as to why the project needed so many PR consultants, all funded by the taxpayer.

The figure was released by the Department of Transport this week in response to a parliamentary question over the number of external agencies appointed to assist the HS2 management team.

“This is a disgusting waste of our hard-earned money on a project which is neither wanted, nor needed,” said Mrs Seymour.

“I have opposed HS2 from the start, and this preposterous and distasteful revelation proves why I am right to have done so. It’s a never-ending gravy train, with taxpayers forking out for all the fuel.”

The Department for Transport revealed that JBP Associates, Blue Rubicon, MHP Communications, Brand and

Deliver, Brandnewand M-is, Precedent Communications were among the PR companies employed by HS2.

Crown Business

Communications, PRgloo, Booz & Company, SKV Communications Emergn, Stairway Communications, Gorkana, Hopscotch Consulting, Weber

Shandwick, and Westbourne Communications had also been used to promote the project.

Mrs Seymour added that a further 12 consultancy and production firms have also been handed lucrative contracts at taxpayers' expense, before a single piece of track had been laid.

Mrs Seymour, who is based in Wellington, said: "It doesn’t matter how many PR companies are recruited to try to convince people that there’s a need for HS2 – they won’t find a compelling business case which is backed up by hard evidence.

“Surely, now, the Government must pull in the reins on this project, and hold those people who are spraying around taxpayers’ money like confetti to account.

“Enough is enough – what about our existing railway infrastructure, which is crying out for investment to keep pace with our modern-day lifestyles?

“It’s not too late to call a halt to the whole HS2 debacle, and demand an inquiry into exactly how much of our money is being spent on this vanity project, and why.”

The £55 billion HS2 scheme was formally given the go-ahead last month, but has sparked controversy regarding its cost and its impact on the countryside.