27.09.13
‘Challenge HS2 to do it quicker’ – Sir David Higgins
The new chair of HS2 Ltd has called for the project to be completed more quickly.
Sir David Higgins, who replaces Doug Oakervee early next year, said that completing the line before 2026 and 2033 could cut the bill as well.
He told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “One thing I don’t understand, admittedly I haven’t been through it in detail, is why it needs to take so long and time is money.
“We have some of the world’s best designers and best contractors: we should challenge them to plan properly and then challenge them to do it quicker.”
Sir David also warned that HS2 shouldn’t be “used as a political football”.
Responding to those comments on BBC Radio 4’s World At One programme McLoughlin said: “I will listen to what David says when he’s sat down behind the desk and gone through [the project] and if he comes forward with other proposals which speed it up I will want to look at those.
“There has to be a proper process, you know, we’ve got to take a bill through Parliament, Parliament has got to do the hybrid bill, that will take some time.”
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Image c. HS2 Ltd