THE project to build HS2 had 'withstood fierce debate and cross-examination', former transport secretary Andrew Adonis has told the House of Lords.
Lord Adonis, who now chairs the National Infrastructure Commission, was speaking during the second reading debate of the Hybrid Bill which authorises Phase 1 of the project, which was approved by the House of Commons last month.
He was transport secretary in 2008 when the HS2 project began to be planned. He conceded that challenges exist, but warned the Lords that the often-touted alternative, that of upgrading the West Coast Main Line, would not meet future demands for transport. He explained: "Upgrading a busy main line railway is like conducting open heart surgery on a moving patient. It’s hardly a compelling alternative to HS2 let alone a cheap one.”
Some doubts were raised, such as a concern voiced by Lord Prescott, another former transport secretary, who feared that the line would not be built north of Birmingham to Crewe, Manchester and Leeds. He said: "I hope my contribution is not seen to be negative. It’s a different view. It’s not the Government’s view or the Opposition’s view. It’s a northern view -- a different perspective of what we are doing with this investment in HS2.”
Lord Adonis maintained that not building the line would be a 'reckless disregard of the national interest'. He said: “From the outset the central argument for HS2 has been about capacity with speed and connectivity significant additional benefits. Since 2010 the imperative of more capacity has become greater still, which is essentially why HS2 has withstood scrutiny and controversy. It could not be more vital to our economic future.
“It’s not just a railway with fast trains. It’s not just about capacity and connectivity. It’s truly about potential. It’s about creating opportunities. It is about what is needed to produce a better and brighter future for our country and economy, for connectivity across the UK. This is what is required if we are to deliver a better, more integrated Britain.”
Labour spokesman Lord Rosser said his party supported the project, but he pressed for a commitment to continue with Phase 2 north of Birmingham. He added: “We want to see HS2 built. However, there is also a continued responsibility on the Government to listen to the concerns of communities affected about the impact on them of the construction and operation of HS2 and ensuring everything that can reasonably be done to address those concerns is done."
The transport secretary Patrick McLoughlin has already said that he is hoping that the Phase 1 Bill will receive Royal Assent by December, so that construction can start next year.