HS2 is 'grand folly' says Institute of Directors

A leading business lobby is arguing that the government should abandon its plans for HS2.

The Institute of Directors says its members would prefer to see smaller infrastructure projects instead of the controversial high-speed rail link.

In response the government said the HS2 project was forecast to generate billions in economic benefits.

The organisation's director general, Simon Walker, described the project as "one grand folly".