Former HS2 chairman Sir Terry Morgan and transport minister face Lords committee
On Tuesday 22 January 2019 Sir Terry Morgan, recently resigned Chairman of HS2 and Crossrail, and Nusrat Ghani MP, the minister responsible for HS2, will give evidence separately to the House of Lords Economic Affairs Committee.
They will be giving evidence to a follow-up session on the Committee's inquiry, The Economics of High Speed 2, which published its report in March 2015.
The first session will begin at 3.35pm. Giving evidence will be:
- Sir Terry Morgan, former chairman of HS2 and Crossrail.
The second session will begin at 4.30pm. Giving evidence will be: - Nusrat Ghani MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, Department for Transport
- Clive Maxwell, Director-General, High Speed and Major Rail Projects Group, Department for Transport
- Dr Nick Bisson, Director, HS2 Phase 2 and Northern Powerhouse Rail, Department for Transport.
Questions the Committee is likely to ask both panels of witnesses include:
- Can HS2 be delivered within the £56 billion budget?
- Will the speed be lowered and the number of trains an hour reduced to ensure the project is finished in time and on budget?
- Would a London terminus at Old Oak Common rather than Euston really save £8 billion on the cost of HS2?
- Could the £56 billion be better spent elsewhere?
- Is the recent reduction in the growth in demand for long-distance rail travel a concern for the business case for HS2?
- Is it right that HS2 is being prioritised over improvements to local and regional services in the north of England?
- Will the main beneficiaries of overcrowding relief be London commuters?
These evidence sessions, which are open to the public, will start at 3.35pm on Tuesday 22 January 2019 in Committee Room 1 of the House of Lords.
