HS2 and the EU

I recently wrote to Simon Burns, the Minister with direct responsibility for HS2, on behalf of a constituent who had heard that an EU directive was forcing the UK Government to build HS2. As you will see from Mr Burns’ reply this is not the case.

HS2 Rolling Stock (Trains)

On the 26^th of April I posted a letter I had written to the Secretary of State for Transport concerning data I had come across on the Treasury’s website regarding the estimated cost of rolling stock (Trains) for HS2. Specifically, I asked the Secretary of State who would be funding the purchase of rolling stock. The Secretary of State has now replied and as you will see he has indicated that no decision has yet been made on how the rolling stock will be funded.

National Audit Office and HS2

The National Audit Office has published a critical report on HS2. You can read the report here. What is likely to happen now is an enquiry by the Public Account Committee to which the Department for Transport will give detailed evidence.

HS2 Paving Bill

As you may know the Paving Bill for HS2 was introduced to Parliament yesterday and you can view the Bill by clicking here. No date has yet been set for Second Reading, which will be the first time MPs can debate the Bill, however, once a date has been confirmed it will be displayed here.

HS2 and Wendover

During Community Forum meetings HS2 Ltd has indicated that there are two options for the construction of the green tunnel at Wendover. The tunnel can be constructed by either single or double faced working with double faced working cutting the construction time in half from 5 years to two and a half. Following contact from constituents who support double faced working I wrote to Alison Munro, Chief Executive of HS2 Ltd, to ask her to detail the impacts of construction for doubled faced working compared to single faced working. I have now received a reply which I have included below. To view information relating to construction of HS2 in the local area please click here.

HS2 Ltd’s Contingency Fund

Back in February I wrote to Alison Munro, Chief Executive of HS2 Ltd, to enquire as to the size of HS2 Ltd’s contingency fund and whether guidelines exist for what it can be spent on. I became aware of HS2 Ltd’s contingency fund when it was mentioned in board minutes which were published on HS2 Ltd’s website. I have now received a reply from Ms Munro which I have included below.

Newsnight & HS2

Newsnight recently showed a short documentary on high speed rail which included a case study of high speed rail between Madrid and Seville which opened in 1992. To view the documentary click here.

HS2 Board Minutes

On the 16^th of April I posted a letter I had written to Alison Munro, Chief Executive of HS2 Ltd, to ask why HS2 Ltd’s website does not display the Board Minutes from 2009, 2010 and 2013 despite having the board minutes from 2011 and 2012 available. I have now received a reply in which Ms Munro indicates this was due to a technical problem HS2 Ltd was previously unaware of.  I have enclosed a copy of the Ms Munro’s response below. To view HS2 Ltd’s board minutes please click here.

HS2 Ltd release a study on property blight

HS2 Ltd has recently released a study on property blight for phase one which I thought would be of interest to those affected by HS2. If you would like to read the document please click here.

A letter from the Secretary of State for Transport

On the 26^th of March I posted a letter I had written to the Secretary of State for Transport regarding HS2. This letter was sent following a reply I had received from Alison Munro (also posted on the 26^th of March) concerning suggestions that had been made by Damian Green, MP for Ashford, regarding lessons that can be learnt for HS2 from HS1. I have now received a reply which I have enclosed below.