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ACE has welcomed the in-depth nature of the Transport Select Committee’s report into High Speed 2.
The report concludes that new high speed rail capacity is needed, and that alternatives proposed such as upgrading existing lines would not meet capacity demands. The report also calls on government to commit to the Manchester and Leeds connections as part of the plans for the first stretch of HS2 between London and Birmingham.
Chief executive of ACE, Nelson Ogunshakin OBE, said: “ACE has been following this inquiry closely and we are pleased with the committee’s respectful approach to the views of all concerned. The potential for investment in high speed rail as a driver of economic growth is well established and the UK should not lose out.”
The select committee has noted that a number of issues should be addressed and calls for the creation of a hybrid bill in Parliament to aid this process. In particular it raises the question of how the route might be connected to Heathrow.
The report suggests that complimentary schemes, such as connecting Gatwick and Heathrow by rail, should be investigated with HS2 in mind. It suggests that the full potential of high speed rail would be best realised by fuller consideration of local and regional strategy for housing, transport, skills and employment surrounding the project.
The report warns that time savings reported as a significant part of the case for HS2 are not universally accepted and should be examined as part of a new investigation of the economic case for funding HS2.
Nelson Ogunshakin OBE said: “To get the best economic value from this kind of investment, government should look at all schemes surrounding it that help to maximise local benefits and prospects for growth. This could see the creation of a national utility carrier corridor to generate additional economic benefits and improve the net local value of the project.
“However, while a strong economic case for HS2 has been established, there can be a risk that new reports create new delays at a time when the country has slipped in World Economic Forum figures to 28th in the world for infrastructure standards.”
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For media inquiries please contact Gavin Pearson (gpearson@acenet.co.uk) (020 7202 0255)
Notes to editors
Photographs are available on request.
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