03.02.17
Go-ahead in sight for HS2 Bill as Lords reject bid to block project
HS2 has moved one step closer to becoming a reality after its dedicated Bill passed its third reading in the House of Lords this week, despite late attempts by Peers to block the long-awaited £55.7bn project.
Peers opposed a backbench amendment by Conservative Peer Lord Framlingham to stop the legislation for the project by a majority of 360, effectively giving the Bill the green light after three years of Parliamentary discussion.
The HS2 Bill will now be passed back to the Commons one final time for consideration of the Lords’ amendments – which is likely to be minimal – before being sent for Royal Assent in the coming weeks.
Lord Framlingham had urged his fellow Peers to scupper the high-speed project, warning that “all the scheme’s credibility has long since gone”.
“If [the House] believes that the HS2 project provides good value for money and will benefit the British public, it will vote against the amendment,” said Lord Framlingham as he proposed the wrecking motion earlier this week.
“But if it agrees that this was an ill-conceived project from the start, which has been entirely discredited, … and that if allowed to proceed, it will result in massive expenditure and huge disruption in both London and the countryside for no discernible benefit at all, the House will support the amendment and stop this scheme before any more harm is done.”
But the Lords did not support his argument against the Bill as they eventually voted his amendment down by 386 votes to a mere 26.
Transport minister Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon sought to assuage Lord Framlingham’s concerns as he stressed the importance of HS2 to the country, claiming that the project is not only necessary for wider investment in rail but is also important “to ensure connectivity, capacity and that our country is truly a 21st century country on the world stage”.
“We have put in place the checks and balances necessary to ensure that the costs implications of the project have been fully considered and will continue to be so,” the minister concluded.
The progression of the Bill now opens the way for construction work on Phase 1 of the project, which is due to open in December 2026.
The Y-shaped Phase 2 will open in two stages, with the Phase 2a line from Birmingham to Crewe due to launch in 2027 and the remaining Phase 2b to Manchester Airport and Leeds due to finish in 2033.
Despite his loss, Lord Framlingham’s reservations have been long held as HS2’s progression has been slowed by a myriad of environmental and financial concerns.
Last month, for example, the government agreed to the Lords’ suggestion of “fair, reasonable and proportionate compensation” to people who will be affected by the high-speed line, with residents living near the proposed routes facing noise pollution or even being forced to move home.
But authorities have nevertheless been confident in pressing ahead with HS2, with the government beginning its search for a company to build high-speed rolling stock earlier this year and HS2 Ltd opening a consultation on eight sites for a proposed ‘parkway’ station to serve South Yorkshire as part of the Phase 2b part of the route.
(Image c. HS2 Ltd)
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