The members for HS2’s Crewe to Manchester line Bill Select Committee have been appointed by the Government, enabling them to now consider the proposed amendments.
Tuesday the 13th December saw the House of Commons agree on the motion to appoint the Members, with the Committee supplying individuals and bodies directly affected by the bill, the opportunity to object to its specific provisions and seek the necessary amendments.
The Committee has seen seven members appointed in total, with four coming from Government appointment and a further three from opposition parties to balance out the decision making. The chair of the HS2 committee will be elected at the Committee's first meeting.
These seven appointed members are:
- Wayne David, Labour MP for Caerphilly
- Antony Higginbotham, Conservative MP for Burnley
- Grahame Morris, Labour MP for Easington
- Holly Mumby-Croft, Conservative MP for Scunthorpe
- Gavin Newlands, Scottish National Party MP for Paisley and Renfrewshire North
- Andrew Percy, Conservative MP for Brigg and Goole
- Martin Vickers, Conservative MP for Cleethorpes
This committee will now hear the cases made by the Secretary of State for Transport, Mark Harper MP.
The Manchester to Crewe leg of the HS2 project comes as Phase 2b and will create improved connectivity in and around the North of England, removing the social exclusion that has stemmed from lack of transport links between major cities in the region. The target completion date for this leg has recently been pushed back to between 2035 and 2041.
The Committee will not be able to consider the principle or underlying policy of the Bill, nor can they request the route be changed, or new additional stations or spurs be built. Hearings with petitioners for the Crewe to Manchester line are expected to start in the New Year.
On Wednesday (December 14), Cheshire East Council discussed proposals enabling them to have greater control over the approval of HS2's construction details.
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