Proposed high speed rail alternative – and a funding model
High Speed UK is the greener, well-connected alternative to HS2, write Colin Elliff, Andrew Coulson & Stephen Stretton – and it would save taxpayers billions. Financed by taxing property owners in connected cities on their windfall gains, HSUK would create a low fare, high capacity, interconnected railway network which would generate huge long-term profits for the nation.
Our interest in this is the proposed funding model – through enhancements in land value. Unfortunately, although it is not clear exactly what is suggested, it seems to be some system for capture of windfall gains in land value. What a pity the authors of the scheme have not heard of classic land value taxation.