Minister questioned on High Speed Two

• Watch Parliament TV: High Speed Two: update
• Inquiry: High Speed Two: update
• Transport Committee

Witnesses

Wednesday 06 January 2021, virtual meeting

At 9.30am

• Deborah Fazan, Independent Residents’ Commissioner on HS2
• Luci Ryan, Lead Policy Advocate: Infrastructure, Woodland Trust
• Phil Gaskin, Chairman, Calvert Green Parish Council

At 10.30am

• Andrew Stephenson MP, Minister of State, Department for Transport
• Clive Maxwell the Director General of High Speed Rail Group
• Mark Thurston, Chief Executive, HS2 Ltd

The Committee will question HS2 Ltd, the Government and other witnesses on the:

• impact of covid on the strategic and economic case for HS2;
• progress of Phase One, including the lessons learnt so far and whether the project will be delivered on time and on budget, especially given the impact of covid;
• Government’s plans for the HS2 station at Euston as well as Phase 2b, Northern Powerhouse Rail and other rail improvements in the Midlands and the North, including the National Infrastructure Commission’s assessment of rail needs in these regions.
• attempts made by HS2 Ltd to improve engagement and treatment of local communities and residents;
• impact of construction on local communities, woodland areas and biodiversity;
• overall environmental impact of HS2, including progress made on reducing carbon emissions and achieving modal shift.

As the sessions are to update the Committee, it is not inviting written evidence from stakeholders and members of the public on this topic. The Committee is also not also able to investigate individual cases.

Please note that Parliament has stopped all non-essential visitor access to both Houses due to the circumstances around coronavirus. The session will be available to watch online, and a transcript will be published on the website a few days afterwards.

Further information

• About Parliament: Select committees
• Visiting Parliament: Watch committees

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