09:30, Wednesday 06 January 2021
This is the second of the Committee’s six-monthly oral evidence
sessions on the progress of the High Speed Two (HS2), which are
planned to take place over the course of this Parliament.
The Committee will question HS2 Ltd, the Government and other
witnesses on the:
- impact of covid on the strategic and economic case for HS2;
- progress of Phase One, including the lessons learnt so far
and whether the project will be delivered on time and on budget,
especially given the impact of covid;
- Government’s plans for the HS2 station at Euston as well as
Phase 2b, Northern Powerhouse Rail and other rail improvements in
the Midlands and the North, including the National Infrastructure
Commission’s assessment of rail needs in these regions.
- attempts made by HS2 Ltd to improve engagement and treatment
of local communities and residents;
- impact of construction on local communities, woodland areas
and biodiversity;
- overall environmental impact of HS2, including progress made
on reducing carbon emissions and achieving modal shift.
As the sessions are to update the Committee, it is not inviting
written evidence from stakeholders and members of the public on
this topic. The Committee is also not also able to investigate
individual cases.
Witnesses, from 09.30:
- Deborah Fazan, Independent Residents’ Commissioner on HS2
- Luci Ryan, Lead Policy Advocate: Infrastructure, Woodland
Trust
- Phil Gaskin, Chairman, Calvert Green Parish Council
At 10.30:
-
, Minister of State, Department for Transport
- Clive Maxwell the Director General of High Speed Rail Group.
- Mark Thurston, Chief Executive, HS2 Ltd
