The Commons Transport Committee has warned that the cost of the European Union’s (EU) satellite navigation project, Galileo, is spiralling out of control and that serious consideration should be given to abandoning the project.

The plan to launch 30 EU satellites to rival America’s GPS system has over-run by millions of pounds and is at least five years behind in development. It was originally due to go into operation next year.

The project, which should benefit European motorists and emergency services, has been publicly funded since its inception, with the total cost estimate rising from £2.3 billion to £6 billion.

British taxpayers have provided £189 million of funding so far and look set to contribute a further 17% of the total bill, unless the situation changes.

In a recent report, the committee advised that no further investment be made by the Government until the EU can come up with more concrete information on the cost and outcome of the scheme.

The committee said that the EU’s projected benefits for the project “appear fanciful”.

“It would be entirely unacceptable to proceed with the Galileo project at this stage,” the committee said.

“The best cost-benefit solution at this stage might be to scrap the programme entirely.”