HS2 in the Commons – written statement

High Speed 2

Mark Garnier (Wyre Forest) (Con): What estimate she has made of the effect of the High Speed 2 rail project on job creation. [103768]

The Secretary of State for Transport (Justine Greening): The Government expect that phase 1 of HS2, linking London and Birmingham, will support about 40,000 jobs. That figure includes 9,000 jobs during construction, 1,500 permanent jobs in operating the railway, and opportunities for up to 30,000 jobs in the regeneration and development areas located around stations. Phase 2, connecting Birmingham, Manchester and Leeds, will support a substantial number of jobs in those northern conurbations. A more detailed assessment is already under way as part of the sustainability appraisal for phase 2.

Mark Garnier: I thank my right hon. Friend for that answer. In order to reinforce the true value of HS2, will the Government give serious consideration to the expansion of Birmingham airport into a UK hub airport? That would create jobs in the west midlands, while also offering a viable and realistic solution to airspace capacity problems.

Justine Greening: I recognise that Birmingham airport has a crucial role to play and, as my hon. Friend will be aware, the Birmingham interchange station will enable it to be much better connected than it is at present. Birmingham airport already has planning approval for a runway extension, which should allow for the operation of airline services to more long-haul destinations. Even in the short term, there is a real opportunity for Birmingham airport to expand.

Mr Barry Sheerman (Huddersfield) (Lab/Co-op): May I urge the Secretary of State to readjust her priorities? In terms of job creation—and, indeed, almost any other objective—the true priority should be to create a modern, fast and safe transport network in this country, and especially across the northern regions. Will she make that her top priority, above any prestige scheme?

Justine Greening: I do not think there needs to be an either/or choice. We need to improve our transport system in the short and medium terms and plan for the longer term, which is what we are doing through HS2. I am committed to making sure our great northern cities are well connected. There is investment in the TransPennine Express, and there has been an announcement on the northern hub. A huge amount of investment is going in to ensure that those communities are better connected than they ever were in the past.

19 Apr 2012 : Column 489

Mr Brian Binley (Northampton South) (Con): I congratulate the Secretary of State on her brave decision on HS2. May I remind her, however, that the west coast main line will, perhaps, reach full capacity by 2022, and therefore urge her to bring forward the start of HS2 in order to ensure an earlier completion date?

Justine Greening: My hon. Friend is right to say that these huge infrastructure projects take time to come to fruition, and we are cracking on as fast as we can. We are also committed to making sure that we get this one right, which means taking a very structured approach to how we develop our proposals. In the meantime, I assure him that I take great care over his local services. He came to see me recently about Northampton station, and he made a compelling case.

Mark Lazarowicz (Edinburgh North and Leith) (Lab/Co-op): When High Speed 2 eventually reaches Edinburgh, passengers getting off there will have a difficulty because under Network Rail’s current plans the taxi rank is to be moved outside the station. Will the Secretary of State ensure that passengers will still be able to switch to taxis with ease at Edinburgh Waverley station?

Justine Greening: Obviously, security issues are also involved, but I can tell the hon. Gentleman that I have already met representatives of the Scottish Government to discuss the longer-term plans that we have for improving the journey times between Scotland and the rest of the country. There are some exciting proposals that we can bring forward. I am very much looking forward to continuing those discussions over the coming weeks and months, and I very much hope that he will be involved in those discussions and thoughts, as they develop.

http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201212/cmhansrd/cm120419/debtext/120419-0001.htm#12041924000022

HS2 in the Commons – written statement

High Speed 2 Railway Line

Dan Byles: To ask the Secretary of State for
Communities and Local Government with reference to
the iRail 2012 lecture by Professor Andrew
McNaughton, Designing High Speed Rail for Britain,
what assessment he has made of the suggestion that the
construction of HS2 will lead to a new city constructed
on greenbelt land in the Meriden Gap between
Birmingham and Coventry; and if he will make a
statement. [102756]
Greg Clark: We have not made any assessment of the
comments attributed to Professor Andrew McNaughton
that the construction of High Speed 2 could lead to the
development of a new city around the proposed
Birmingham Interchange Station adjacent to the National
Exhibition Centre, and nor has the Government ever
made such a policy proposal. The National Planning
Policy Framework, published on 27 March, contains
clear policies for preventing inappropriate development
on green-belt land.

Taken form Hose of Commons Official Report, Parlamentary Debates, Thursday 19 April 2012.

HS2 in the Commons – Written Statement

High Speed Rail

The Secretary of State for Transport (Justine Greening): At the end of this month I will receive HS2 Ltd’s route and station advice for high speed rail lines to Leeds, Manchester and Heathrow. This is an important next step in our aspiration for a truly national high speed network, as set out in our programme for government. Phase 2 of High Speed 2 will spread the benefits of high speed rail further across the country, increasing capacity and enhancing connectivity by extending high speed rail lines to Leeds and Manchester and connecting other major conurbations in the north and in Scotland through seamless transition onto the existing network.

In fulfilment of its remit, HS2 Ltd’s advice will include options for stations in Manchester, Leeds, South Yorkshire, the East Midlands and at Heathrow Airport, as well as advice on the case and potential locations for additional stations. It will also cover the impact of phase 2 of the network in releasing capacity on the midland and east coast main lines, as well as further extending the benefits of released capacity within the west coast corridor.

I will consider this advice objectively and in detail over the coming months, and I intend to publish it in the autumn together with a Government response setting out initial preferred route and station options. An important part of this process will be to consider the views of delivery partners in the cities where HS2 stations may be located, including any underpinning evidence which they have identified. Understanding local desires and plans for development will be crucial in helping me reach initial preferences for station locations. I am particularly keen to ensure that the network best supports the economic potential of the cities and regions it serves, through well-integrated station locations that build on local and regional plans.

Minimising the risk of blight is a serious consideration, and it is for this reason that I expect to publish HS2 Ltd’s advice once I have reached a view on routes and station options. Publishing a detailed range of possible options without an indication of the Government’s preferences would generate unnecessary and harmful blight across areas that ultimately might never be affected by the lines. I will be working with national environmental stakeholders to discuss key sustainability issues and how best to consult on lines of route going forward to help meet the needs of different stakeholders and the public.

Following publication, the input of interested parties, including MPs and their constituents, will be valuable to help further develop the proposals that will go forward for subsequent formal public consultation. Only once a full public consultation has been launched and completed will any decisions be reached.

27 Mar 2012 : Column 135WS

When preferred route options are published in the autumn we will consult on and introduce an exceptional hardship scheme to assist property owners impacted by the proposals. Further, in order to reduce uncertainty for those affected by the proposals, and to ensure that the benefits for passengers and business of a national high speed rail network are realised as soon as possible, I have asked my officials to explore options for bringing forward formal public consultation on phase 2 of High Speed 2 to 2013, and I will set out my proposed timetable later this year.

http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201212/cmhansrd/cm120327/wmstext/120327m0002.htm#12032750000046

Warwickshire HS2 Presentations and Notes

  WCC held a series of seminars for town and parish councils and action groups on Tuesday 13 March. The event covered noise, cuttings and embankments, bridges, tunnels and viaducts and ecology and archaeology. It was designed to help those who will be representing their communities at the HS2 Community Forums organised by HS2 Ltd and due to begin to take place later this month.

The slides from the event are attached and some further notes will be added in due course.

Presentations

Effective Noise Barrier Designs, (pdf 3.6mb) - Giles Parker, Sound Barrier Solutions Ltd

Other Noise Barrier Materials (pdf, 1.8mb) - Giles Parker, Sound Barrier Solutions Ltd

HS2 Bridges, Tunnels and Viaducts, (pdf, 1.4mb) - Mushtak Ahmed, Warwickshire County Council

Cuttings and Embankments, (pdf, 1.2mb) - Chris Nason, Warwickshire County Council

Archaeology (Historic Environment), (pdf, 5.5mb) - Ben Wallace, Warwickshire County Council

Crossing maps

List of maps showing crossing points and utilities.

Notes

Notes from HS2 Seminar held 13th March 2012 (msword, 85kb)
Notes from HS2 Seminar held 13th March 2012 (pdf, 57kb)

Transport Select Committee and HS2 – Report Published on 23 January 2012

The Transport Select Committee has published the Government’s repsonse to the Committee’s High Speed Rail report.

The Transport Select Committee issued its report, High Speed Rail, on 8 November, 2011, making a total of 23 recommendations. The Government’s reponses are set out in the report.

12th Special Report – High Speed Rail: Government Response to the Committee’s Tenth Report of Session 2010-12

PDF version 12th Special Report – High Speed Rail: Government Response to the Committee’s Tenth Report of Session 2010-12 ()

HS2 January 2012 publications

High speed rail: Investing in Britain’s future – the Government’s decisions

Summary of the Government’s decision to develop a new national high speed rail network.

Review of HS2 London to West Midlands appraisal of sustainabilityA report to Government by HS2 Ltd

A review by HS2 Ltd of high speed rail consultation responses regarding the appraisal of sustainability. It includes consideration of comments on the environment, greenhouse gas emissions, air quality, and species and habitats.

 

Do you think you are affected by the HS2 route?

The Department has written to all owners of properties that are very close to the proposed line of the route to inform them of the Government’s decision, and the potential need to compulsorily purchase their property.

Review of property issues

A review by the Department for Transport of the property concerns raised during the consultation on high speed rail and the Government’s policies to minimise blight and support communities.

Summary of effects of HS2 London to West Midlands route refinementsA report to Government by HS2 Ltd

A report by HS2 Ltd focusing on the engineering, sustainability and cost effects of the changes made to the London to West Midlands route in response to issues raised in consultation.

 

Review of HS2 London to West Midlands route selection and speedA report to Government by HS2 Ltd

A review by HS2 Ltd of its route selection process, and a number of route-related features, such as the maximum line speed, alternative route corridors, the location of stations and servingHeathrowAirport.

 

Review of possible refinements to the proposed HS2 London to West Midlands routeA report to Government by HS2 Ltd

A report by HS2 Ltd presenting its recommendations for line of route alignment changes to HS2 (LondontoWest Midlands) in response to issues raised during consultation.

Review of strategic alternatives to High Speed TwoA report to Government by Network Rail

A report by Network Rail on proposals to upgrade the existing rail network as alternative strategies to HS2.

 

Economic case for HS2: Value for money statement

The Department for Transport’s assessment of the value for money of HS2.

 

High speed rail: Investing in Britain’s future consultation summary reportA report to Government by Dialogue by Design

An independent report providing a summary of the responses to the Government’s consultation ‘High speed rail: Investing inBritain’s future’.

 

Review of the Government’s strategy for a national high speed rail network

A review of the Government’s strategy for a national high speed rail network in light of responses to the ‘High speed rail: Investing inBritain’s future’ consultation.

 

HS2 Ltd triennial review 2011

The approach to and findings of the triennial review of High Speed 2 (HS2) Ltd.

 

Review of the technical specification for high speed rail in the UKA report to Government by HS2 Ltd

A review by HS2 Ltd of the technical specification for HS2 in light of consultation responses.

 

HS2 revised line of route maps

Maps reflecting the Government’s amendments to the HS2 London toWest Midlandsline of route.

 

Economic case for HS2: Updated appraisal of transport user benefits and wider economic benefitsA report to Government by HS2 Ltd

HS2 Ltd’s update to the ‘Economic case for HS2: The Y network and London-West Midlands’. It describes changes to forecasts of demand and the updated economic appraisal of HS2.

 

High speed rail: Investing in Britain’s future – decisions and next steps

The decisions reached by the Government in the light of the ‘High speed rail: Investing inBritain’s future’ consultation and an outline of the immediate next stages of the project.

 

High speed rail strategic alternatives study: Update following consultation

A report by Atkins examining the case for conventional rail alternatives to HS2.

Transport Committee – Select Committee Announcement

Transport Committee

Select Committee Announcement

17 January 2012
For Immediate Release: SCA 120/2010–12

Special REPORT: High speed rail (Government response)

· Inquiry: High Speed Rail
· The Transport Committee

The Committee has agreed to publish its Twelfth Special Report of Session 2010–12, High Speed Rail: Government Response to the Committee’s Tenth Report of Session 2010-12 (HC 1754), at 00.01 am on Monday 23 January.

The report will be available on The Stationery Office (TSO) Ltd’s website and the Committee’s website shortly after the publication hour has passed: Transport Committee Publications.

The Report may also be purchased from TSO—Tel: 08457 023474.

FURTHER INFORMATION:

The Transport Committee published its report, High Speed Rail (HC 1185-I), on 8 November 2011

Committee Membership is as follows:
Mrs Louise Ellman (Labour/Co-operative, Liverpool Riverside) (Chair); Steve Baker (Conservative, Wycombe); Jim Dobbin (Labour/Co-operative, Heywood and Middleton); Mr Tom Harris (Labour, Glasgow South); Julie Hilling (Labour, Bolton West); Kwasi Kwarteng (Conservative, Spelthorne); Mr John Leech (Liberal Democrat, Manchester Withington); Paul Maynard (Conservative, Blackpool North and Cleveleys); Iain Stewart (Conservative, Milton Keynes South); Graham Stringer (Labour, Blackley and Broughton); Julian Sturdy (Conservative, York Outer).

Specific Committee Information: transcom@parliament.uk 020 7219 6263/3266

Media Information: Hannah Pearce pearcehm@parliament.uk 020 7219 8430

Committee Website: www.parliament.uk/transcom

Watch committees and parliamentary debates online: www.parliamentlive.tv

Publications / Reports / Reference Material: Copies of all select committee reports are available from the Parliamentary Bookshop (12 Bridge St, Westminster, 020 7219 3890) or the Stationery Office (0845 7023474). Committee reports, press releases, evidence transcripts, Bills; research papers, a directory of MPs, plus Hansard (from 8am daily) and much more, can be found on www.parliament.uk

Latest Dft HS2 Publications

Do you think you are affected by the HS2 route?

The Department has written to all owners of properties that are very close to the proposed line of the route to inform them of the Government’s decision, and the potential need to compulsorily purchase their property.

Review of property issues.

A review by the Department for Transport of the property concerns raised during the consultation on high speed rail and the Government’s policies to minimise blight and support communities.

Blight and compensation

Construction of the line between London and West Midlands is anticipated to start in 2016, with the line operational from 2026.

During 2012 a comprehensive land referencing exercise to identify and confirm all property interests affected by the route will begin.  Those people who may be affected by the route will soon be receiving letters to alert them to the situation.

• Review of property issues
• Do you think you are affected by the HS2 route?
• High Speed Two: Exceptional hardship scheme consultation, 11 March 2011

More Department for Transport HS2 publications.

Transport Select Committee – Tenth Report, High Speed Rail

The Transport Select Committee has agreed to publish its Tenth Report of Session 2010–12, High Speed Rail (HC 1185-I).

Transport Select Committee Tenth Report High Speed Rail VOLUME 1 (pdf, 1mb) (112 pages)

Transport Select Committee Tenth Report High Speed Rail VOLUME 2 (pdf, 4.3mb) (316 pages)

Transport Select Committee Tenth Report High Speed Rail VOLUME 3 (pdf, 12.3mb) 580 pages)

or viewed online at;

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

Publications / Reports / Reference Material: Copies of all select committee reports are available from the Parliamentary Bookshop (12 Bridge St, Westminster, 020 7219 3890) or the Stationery Office (0845 7023474).  Committee reports, press releases, evidence transcripts, Bills; research papers, a directory of MPs, plus Hansard (from 8am daily) and much more, can be found on www.parliament.uk

Secretary of State letter to stakeholders

This is a letter from Transport Secretary Philip Hammond. It updates stakeholders on the preparatory work HS2 Limited is being asked to take forward while the department considers the responses to the consultation on high speed rail.

http://www.dft.gov.uk/publications/high-speed-2