High-speed rail (HS2) decision delayed

06 Dec 11

Transport Secretary Justine Greening MP, has confirmed today that the Government will delay its decision until New Year, on whether to go ahead with the controversial high-speed rail link between London and Birmingham.

The Department for Transport’s business plan had said that, following the Government’s consultation on the proposed High Speed 2 (HS2) line which was held earlier in 2011, a decision on whether to go ahead with the project would be announced this month.

However, in a written statement issued today, Greening said that she now expected to announce her decision in January 2012.

The statement said: "Since taking up office in October, I have been considering the issues raised as part of the consultation and additionally have listened to the views of honourable members.

"In order to ensure that my decision is based on a careful consideration of all relevant factors, I have concluded that I should allow myself until early 2012 to announce my decisions.

"I am therefore notifying the House that I will not be making a further statement on the subject of high-speed rail this year, but I expect to announce my decisions in January."

Nick Farthing, Chair of the Chamber’s Planning and Transport Committee in Southampton said, “HS2 could be very significant for Southampton as a major port and cruise passenger terminal but also the Hampshire-wide economy. Whilst the delay clearly centres on the controversy of a possible tunnel through the Chilterns in Buckinghamshire, the delay to announce a decision and commence HS2 will only serve to intensify the pressure on connecting Britain and thus, stalling economic growth and sustainability. There is of course, mounting pressure from Hampshire and surrounding Counties to create a high speed rail link hub at Heathrow.”

Hampshire Chamber of Commerce responded to the HS2 Government consultation this summer as well as writing to the Secretary of State for Transport Philip Hammond in 2010, expressing Chamber members concerns that High Speed Rail, as currently proposed under the “HS2” review, does not provide a fast rail link to businesses in the south and west of England and omits to connect to the UK international air hub at Heathrow Airport. In his reply to the Chamber, the Secretary of State said he believed that any new high speed line should be directly connected to Heathrow. The Chamber’s Planning and Transport Committee based in Southampton debated the Heathrow Hub proposal in October 2011 and members once again felt that there was and is a business case for Heathrow to be an integral part of the HS2 plans.

Criticism of the Government’s HS2 plans has come partly from their own MPs in formal responses to the consultation over the north-south rail link earlier this year.

Local Councils on the path of the proposed rail link have warned that the controversial plans are causing "planning blight" that could subdue property markets and derail development plans.

Please see links below for more details on:
> HS2 delayed decision
> Letter of Thames Valley Chamber of Commerce to The Sunday Times dated 11 Dec 2011
> Local report from Bucks Herald (Aylesbury)
> Extract from Planning and Transport Committee - 5 October 2011 - 'The Heathrow Hub'
> Plus other reports and links

Useful links

http://www.hs2.org.uk/

http://www.hampshirechamber.co.uk/docs/TVChamber Letter - HS2 - Sunday Times 11 Dec 2011[1].pdf

http://www.bucksherald.co.uk/news/local-news/tunnel_idea_delays_hs2_decision_and_angers_opponents_1_3310873

http://www.hampshirechamber.co.uk/docs/Extract - P&T Oct 2011 Heathrow Hub HS2 Link.pdf

http://www.hampshirechamber.co.uk/docs/Action needed to ensure Direct Western Rail Access to Heathrow.pdf

http://www.hampshirechamber.co.uk/docs/Support for the High Speed Rail Network Proposals.pdf

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-16036788

http://www2.dft.gov.uk/pgr/rail/pi/highspeedrail/proposedroute/maps/