16.07.15
Lord Adonis appointed HS2 board member
Lord Adonis has joined the HS2 Ltd Board as a non-executive member, transport secretary Patrick McLoughlin MP announced today (16 July).
Adonis, Labour transport minister and then transport secretary from 2008-10, pioneered the project during its initial draft seven years ago and the Command Paper in March 2010.
He said in a speech to the House of Lords in 2013: “HS2 doesn’t just meet rising demand for inter-city travel. By freeing up substantial capacity on the existing lines, it also provides a huge capacity boost for freight trains and for commuter and regional passenger service.
“I am not aware of a single country which has introduced high-speed rail between its major cities and now thinks it a mistake. They know that high speed rail is integral to building a modern economy and a modern society. I believe it will be the same in Britain, so we should get on with HS2.”
Today his views remain unchanged as he called HS2 a “vital project of national significance”.
McLoughlin said he was “extremely pleased” with the new board addition and said: “Lord Adonis has been a huge supporter of HS2 right from the start, helping to turn the initial concept into a reality. His support and expertise will be invaluable as we move towards construction of the railway. HS2 will have a transformational effect on the country, bringing jobs and growth and is a vital part of our long-term economic plan.”
His appointment as board member will last for three years.