Following the Committee’s evidence session on 24 April,
members have committed to maintain scrutiny of the HS2 project.
There will be a rolling programme of oral evidence sessions over
the course of this Parliament, some taking place outside
Westminster.
In this context, the Committee is publishing two letters
relating to the content offered in the evidence session
(transcript
here).
To Mark Thurston, Chief Executive of HS2 Ltd,
requesting:
-
Transparency: To set out the steps Mr
Thurston intends to take to deliver on his commitment to be
open and transparent with Parliament where there is a risk the
company may fail to meet a milestone target it has agreed to,
or when it has failed to meet such a target.
-
Governance and culture of HS2 Ltd: To
set out changes being made to the management of HS2 Ltd,
including the preparations to support the transition to the new
governance arrangements for Euston and Phase 2b.
-
Workforce issues: Further to
information supplied on contractors and permanent staff, a
request for equivalent information for the full
project.
-
Social distancing: To set out the
steps the company is taking to ensure that contractors follow
the Government’s advice in order to allay the fears of local
communities.
-
Engagement with local MPs: An update
on how many meetings have been held with MPs whose
constituencies are on the route.
To , Minister of State for
Transport, requesting:
-
Transparency: to share current
plans for the six-monthly reports with the committee to help
inform their content.
-
Governance and culture of HS2 Ltd: To
set out further details on proposed changes to improve the
performance and oversight of HS2 Ltd; and transfer
responsibility for Euston station and Phase 2b to other
delivery bodies.
-
Requesting clarity on the speed and
frequency of HS2 services.
-
Euston station and Old Oak Common:
Whether the Government plans to go ahead with the current
design and if not, the process and timescale for redesigning
Euston station.
-
Loss of biodiversity: to confirm
the number of work sites where habitat clearance is scheduled
to take place during nesting season and share an example of the
Working Methods Statement which sets out how this takes
place.
The deadline for the responses is 9 June.
Copies of the letters are attached.
