Transport Select Committee on HS2

The Transport Select Committee has now published its findings into High Speed Rail which can be viewed at the link below. However, should you wish to purchase a hard copy please telephone The Stationery Office on 08457 023474.

http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201012/cmselect/cmtran/1185/118502.htm

MP David Lidington’s view on the outcome of the Transport Select Committee

The Report is a real ‘curate’s egg’. It concludes that “a high speed rail network” should be developed “as part of a national transport strategy” and that HS2 “could form part of this network”. At the same time, the Committee concludes that much more detail is needed on the financial case for HS2, argues that the emphasis on a very high-speed (250mph) line “has prematurely ruled out other route options”, expresses disappointment that the scheme is based on a economic case “that is not universally accepted”, rejects the claim that HS2 would reduce carbon emissions and that there should be “an urgent strategic appraisal of phase II (the Y network north of Birmingham) before a final decision on phase I is taken.”

In my experience, it is common for Select Committee reports to contain a lot of “on the one hand...on the other” language, in order to get the unanimous support of Committee members. In this case, the Committee was divided. The formal minutes (pp96-102) show that several more critical conclusions on HS2 were defeated by only five votes to four.

Should you wish to raise any issues with the Select Committee after reading their report I would recommend contacting them direct by emailing transcom@parliament.uk. Alternatively, you can write to the committee at the address below.

Transport Committee
7 Millbank
House of Commons
London
SW1P 3JA

We must now wait for both the Government’s response to the Select Committee’s report and for the announcement on if it has decided to proceed with HS2 following the public consultation. I expect both to be announced in the next few weeks. In the meantime, I have enclosed a copy of the Transport Select Committee’s conclusions and recommendations for your reference but I would recommend reading these in conjunction with the full report.

Hughenden Parish Council’s Response to the Consultation on HS2