Parliament hasn’t even returned from recess, yet the case for HS2 is already being questioned.
Andrew Tyrie MP, Chairman of the Treasury Committee, has today written to the Secretary of State for Transport. His letter asks for clarification on a number of issues outlined in the Department for Transport’s updated economic case for HS2, published in November 2016. His letter is a continuation of correspondence Tyrie has previously had with Grayling over the case for HS2.
Commenting on the correspondence, Tyrie said:
“The Department claims that it has been underestimating the growth in passenger demand in support of the economic case for HS2.
The Transport Secretary needs to explain why the latest projection for growth in demand will be any more reliable than its predecessor. Over the last seven years we’ve had six of these – each different.
Without this latest data, the business case suggests that the project will deliver low value for money, according to the Department’s own guidance. In other words, HS2 would scarcely be worth the candle.
In the last Parliament, the Treasury Committee examined the proposals for HS2. A lack of rigour in the economic case was manifest. On the basis of the evidence provided so far, many people remain to be convinced that the £55bn projected costs for HS2 offers better value for money than a lower speed, lower cost alternative.”
Andrew Tyrie’s letter can be downloaded here.
Is anyone asking Grayling to provide the evidence to support his statement of hs2 carrying 300,000 passengers a day?
We urgently need someone who understands these economic cases to interpret these numbers referred to by Mr Tyree and explain them
It will only serve to increase the number of commuters to London, as is the case across Europe, where it has been seen that talent just migrated to the capital from the connected cities. The financial cost aswell as the permenant damage to the environment, AOONB and rural communities is just far greater than any benefits. Noone in my area will benefit as it doesn’t stop anywhere near us but the mutilation of our countryside and the grotesque visual prospect means we are paying many times over!
What happened to Sir Jeremy Heywood’s report? Kicked into the long grass?
Surely the bcr must take account of all the costs of making areas hs2 ready e.g. West Midlands connectivity package
Will Mrs Gillan or any MP be contacting MrTyrie as time is running out