09.05.16
Interim HS2 construction commissioner to be appointed this summer
An interim construction commissioner for HS2 will be appointed this summer, transport minister Robert Goodwill MP announced in the House of Commons today.
In response to a question from Conservative MP Cheryl Gillan, Goodwill said that an independent steering group will develop performance and funding terms of reference for the commissioner once the HS2 Bill gains Royal Assent.
Gillan has previously called HS2 a “boy’s toy” and tabled an amendment against the HS2 Bill back in 2014.
The Bill is currently passing through the House of Lords, where an amendment requiring the committee scrutinising the bill to appoint a technical expert was rejected last week.
An interim commissioner will be appointed this summer, initially paid by HS2 Ltd.
HS2 is currently seeking phase 2 partners for construction contracts worth over £500m.
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(Image c. HS2)