The Transport
Secretary Grant Shapps has published the terms of reference and timetable for
an independent review into the High Speed 2 (HS2) project.
Douglas Oakervee,
who has built up considerable knowledge on a wide range of major projects over
the course of his 60 year career, will lead the review and will work with Lord
Berkeley as his deputy.
They will be
supported by a panel of experts, bringing together a range of perspectives from
business, academia and the transport sector to ensure an independent, thorough
and objective assessment of the project. Panellists will each be consulted on
the report’s conclusions.
The terms of
reference confirm that the independently-led government review
will look at whether and how HS2 should proceed, using all existing evidence on
the project to consider:
- its benefits and impacts
- affordability and efficiency
- deliverability and scope
- its phasing, including its
relationship with Northern Powerhouse Rail.
A final report will
be sent to the Secretary of State, with oversight from the Prime Minister and
Chancellor of the Exchequer, by the autumn. The report will inform the
government’s decisions on next steps for the project. Limited, largely
preparatory works, on the project will continue in parallel with the report’s
work.
Transport Secretary
Grant Shapps said: "The Prime Minister has been clear that transport
infrastructure has the potential to drive economic growth, redistribute
opportunity and support towns and cities across the UK, but that investments
must be subject to continuous assessment of their costs and benefits. That’s
why we are undertaking this independent and rigorous review of HS2."
There has been significant criticism of the environmental impact of the HS2 project, with the Woodland Trust in particular campaigning hard for a rethink.
"The
terms of reference for this review do not go far enough where the environment
is concerned," said Abi Bunker, Director of Conservation & External Affairs at the trust. "While we are pleased to see the
environment is being considered, simply looking at the possible benefits HS2 may bring in
terms of carbon reduction will paint a very skewed picture.
"Any environmental benefits must be weighed against the environmental costs and what we stand to lose. This review cannot afford to neglect the massive negative impact HS2 will have on irreplaceable #AncientWoodland and the ousting of wildlife.
"We are all for
green transport but as it stands HS2 cannot claim
to be green in any shape or form because of the irretrievable damage it will
cause.”
It
points out that preparation work for HS2 is happening
right now, and is destroying swathes of England’s AncientWoodland
as the controversial route forces its way through our countryside.
