8 LCR could not have raised all the finance it needed without Government help. However, the use of bonds carrying a Government guarantee rather than a voted loan from the Department to fund the Link, cost the project an additional £80 million. The use of such bonds reflected the unique circumstances of this deal and, in particular, achieved the Government's aim of keeping the project off the public balance sheet. Departments will need to consider this cost-benefit balance with great care if similar situations arise in the future.