In article , Angus Bryant
writes
snip


Mr Montague wrote the report that led the Government to back the project.
The Treasury, TfL and London business leaders are working on a funding
package but it is understood that a rise in fares has been ruled out. Higher
business rates may be used but that is unlikely to raise more than £2bn.

Civil servants have persuaded the Treasury to keep the project under public
control to minimise costs. "It will be publicly funded and publicly
cliented," said a well-placed source.

Angus


It will be a first if any government funded, directly managed project
comes in at anything under double the budget - dome, Scottish
parliament, portcullis annex to house of parliament, NHS computer
system, etc. etc.

--
John Alexander,