Asked by: Lord Truscott (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether HS2 Limited has revised any existing agreements with contractors.
Answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton
HS2 Ltd has managed a very large number of contracts in support of the delivery of a high speed railway. These contracts cover a wide supply base, dealing with a variety of activities. As with all projects, change is inevitable and it follows that changes will result in revisions to existing HS2 Ltd contracts.
Asked by: Lord Truscott (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government how much has been spent on HS2 to date; and how much they estimate the programme would cost to cancel immediately.
Answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton
As at 31st March 2019, £7.4bn (excluding construction VAT) had been spent on the HS2 rail project. In August 2019 the Government announced an independent review of HS2 led by Douglas Oakervee. The review was asked to consider, among other things, whether and how to proceed with the project. The Government will make a decision shortly.
Asked by: Lord Truscott (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have any plans to revise the proposed speed of HS2 trains.
Answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton
In August 2019 the Government commissioned the independent Oakervee Review to provide advice on whether and how to proceed with HS2. The Government will make a decision on HS2 shortly, and therefore no decision has been made to revise the proposed speed of HS2 trains.
Asked by: Lord Truscott (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have received any representations about prioritising HS3 over HS2.
Answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton
There is no either / or choice between HS2 and Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR). Both projects have the potential to be transformative for the North. Whilst Transport for the North’s plans for NPR are at an earlier stage of development, they are being designed to complement HS2 and transform connectivity across the north of England.
We are currently consulting on proposals to include passive provision for two future junctions that would one day allow NPR trains to use the HS2 route into Manchester and vice versa. These proposals have been developed with Transport for the North, and, in the future, could allow a potential new route between Manchester and Liverpool that could also be used for services between London and Liverpool.
Asked by: Lord Truscott (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to review the business case for HS2.
Answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton
An updated business case for HS2 will be published alongside the formal notice to proceed for Phase 1 of the project later this year.
Asked by: Lord Truscott (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the case for prioritising HS3 over HS2.
Answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton
HS2 paves the way for Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR) and the full benefits of both can best be realised by integration. There is no either / or choice between HS2 and NPR. Both projects have the potential to be transformative for the North. Whilst Transport for the North’s plans for NPR are at an earlier stage of development, they are being designed to complement HS2 and transform connectivity across the north of England.
We are currently consulting on proposals to include passive provision for two future junctions that would one day allow NPR trains to use the HS2 route into Manchester and vice versa. These proposals have been developed with Transport for the North, and, in the future, could allow a potential new route between Manchester and Liverpool that could also be used for services between London and Liverpool.
Asked by: Lord Truscott (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of HS2 Phase One being delivered on time and on budget.
Answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton
HS2 Ltd is currently working with its contracted suppliers to update and agree the latest cost and schedule positions for Phase One. Assessment of Phase One cost and schedule is therefore ongoing, and once completed we will make these details public as part of the Phase One Full Business Case which is due for publication later in 2019.
Asked by: Lord Truscott (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they plan to review the viability of HS2; and if so, what are those plans.
Answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton
The Full Business Case for Phase One will review HS2 in terms of its strategic objectives, value for money, achievability, deliverability and affordability. It is due for publication later in 2019.
Asked by: Lord Truscott (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to change the management of HS2 to address reported delays and budget overspends.
Answered by Baroness Sugg
There are no plans to make any changes to the management team of HS2 Ltd.
We are determined for HS2 to be delivered within the £55.7bn (2015 prices) funding envelope.