High-speed railway project HS2 has come under fire from UK newspapers after reportedly spending £20,000 on a specially-commissioned LEGO model of its main transport hub.
Independent LEGO builders Bricks McGee used 15,000 pieces to assemble the model of West London's planned Old Oak Common station in 2023, working from digital concepts of the 14-platform 'transport superhub'. The model has since been used at events around the country informing the general public of the plans for HS2.
Several UK newspapers (most of a particular political persuasion) have picked up the story this week as a means by which to criticise HS2, including the Telegraph, which quotes TaxPayers’ Alliance media campaign manager William Yarwood. “Taxpayers will be baffled not just by the cost of these LEGO bricks, but by why this model even was built in the first place," he said. "As HS2’s costs spiral out of control, you’d think those in charge would be cutting every unnecessary expense.”
A splash page for the model at Bricks McGee’s website states that its aim is to ‘engage the public’, visualising the end result of the ongoing construction works. As well as the platforms, tracks, surrounding greenery and tiny Routemaster red London buses, the microscale model incorporates a pond, community art wall, cycle lanes and even LED lighting.
“Our LEGO model of HS2’s Old Oak Common superhub is an informative way to engage local communities, businesses, rail users and the general public about construction of part of Britain’s new high-speed railway,” said a HS2 spokesperson. “It has been seen by thousands of people since it was commissioned more than two years ago, helping those affected by the build, as well as future passengers, better understand the station.”
Another HS2 source told the Telegraph that the LEGO build was ‘no more expensive than a standard architectural model’, and the medium used makes for a ‘better public engagement tool’. Bricks McGee declined to comment when Brick Fanatics reached out.
HS2 was originally announced in 2013 with intentions to reach as far as Leeds and York from Staffordshire, but has seen aggressive reductions as costs have mounted. The high-speed track will now run from Staffordshire to London and on to Birmingham. Further services to Liverpool, Manchester and Glasgow are due to use a mixture of high-speed track and the current West Coast Main Line. HS2 is expected to be completed by 2033.
Featured image: ianVisits
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