13.12.13
Build both sections of HS2 at the same time, say MPs
HS2 is essential to the UK’s future, the transport select committee has stated, in an important show of support for the project.
The MPs called for work on the second phase of HS2 to begin sooner, with “serious thought” needed on building both sections at the same time. Currently the first phase, London-Birmingham, is due to be complete in 2026 and the second Y-shaped extension to Manchester and Leeds in 2032/33.
There was also an urgent need for clarity on costs, the committee found. The official cost includes funding for new trains, as well as £14.56bn contingency – but this is often missing from the wider debate on the project.
The committee said: “The Department for Transport's communications about HS2 should emphasise that the estimated cost is £28bn, not £50bn, and that cost increases to date have largely been due to the decision to undertake more tunnelling and other work to mitigate the impact of the project on people living near the route.
“The project is now commonly regarded as costing £50bn and rising. This has led to exaggerated references to HS2 requiring a 'blank cheque' from government.”
The report also raises concerns about how Heathrow would be incorporated into phase 1 and how this would affect costs. Further evidence is needed on the wider economic benefits of HS2, the MPs added.
Committee chair Louise Ellman MP said: “We remain confident that construction of a new high speed line is the only way to deliver the step change in capacity on the West Coast Main Line needed to accommodate long-term demand for both passengers and rail freight.
“If we are to spread the benefits from HS2 as widely as possible, it is vital we improve links between the conventional and high-speed networks and bring forward projects to speed up journey times on the conventional network.”
Transport secretary Patrick McLoughlin welcomed the committee’s support and said that alternative proposals to HS2 “would simply not cope with the predicted increase in demand”.
But Joe Rukin, campaign manager for the Stop HS2 group, said: “Despite the official cost of HS2 standing at £50bn, the committee want to pretend it is £28bn, even though they said it would be £34bn in 2011.
“In saying this and telling the DfT they should abandon their standard assessments to improve the case for HS2, they are effectively ordering the government to 'spin harder' on HS2.”
Shadow transport secretary Mary Creagh said: “Labour supports HS2 because we must address the capacity problems that mean thousands of commuters face cramped, miserable journeys into Birmingham, Manchester, Leeds and London.
“However, three years of government delays and mismanagement has caused costs to balloon.”
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Image c. HS2 Ltd