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HS2 — [David Mundell in the Chair]
13 September 2021
Lead MP
Taiwo Owatemi
Coventry North West
Lab
Responding Minister
Andrew Stephenson
Tags
NHSTransportBenefits & WelfareAgriculture & Rural AffairsMental Health
Word Count: 13996
Other Contributors: 35
At a Glance
Taiwo Owatemi raised concerns about hs2 — [david mundell in the chair] in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
Key Requests to Government:
The Member asks the Government to explain their plans for continuing with HS2 given the rising costs and environmental concerns, as well as whether they will adjust their calculations in light of the goal of all electric vehicles by 2040. The Member also requests information on job creation and economic benefits promised by HS2. Ms Leadsom calls for a fresh vote on the continuation of HS2 given its substantial increase in costs and negative impact on communities.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
The Member is concerned about the environmental and economic costs of HS2. The project's cost has risen from £37.5 billion in 2009 to over £100 billion by 2020, with no guarantee that the costs will not continue to rise further. There are concerns about the destruction of ancient woodlands, loss of connectivity, and whether HS2 will contribute to social mobility if it is only accessible to the wealthiest individuals. The Member also highlights the mismanagement of the project and the impact on public trust. Ms Leadsom is concerned about HS2's failure to recognise the impact on communities and its escalating costs. She noted that the project's original cost estimate was £32 billion, but it has now risen to over £100 billion. The project also promised proper sound barriers for villages like Radstone but these issues remain unresolved after years of campaigning by local residents. Ms Leadsom highlighted that HS2 has taken a significant toll on her constituents' mental health and livelihoods.
Alex Sobel
Lab Co-op
Leeds Central
HS2 is delaying Northern Powerhouse Rail, which is important for connectivity across the north of England.
Rother Valley
Opposes HS2, citing support from constituents and local groups. Argues that the project undermines levelling up by diverting resources and funds away from needed infrastructure like the trans-Pennine route. Requests cancellation of the 2b arm to allow residents whose homes are affected to move on with their lives.
Andrew Bridgen
Con
North West Leicestershire
Asked for an intervention briefly, but no further details were provided in the given text. Bridgen questioned whether Newlands received documentation indicating that phase 1 of HS2 is unlikely to open for passengers before 2041, with the project costing £160 billion in today's money.
The Minister should prioritise scrapping the £2 billion Golborne spur leg, which brings no gain to Warrington.
Bill Cash
Con
Chesham and Amersham
I have always voted against HS2, stating it is a disastrous white elephant that has spent billions of pounds on taxpayers' money. My constituents are worried about the impact of HS2 on their communities and environment. I presented professional analysis from my constituents suggesting alternative means which could reduce the construction impact and save approximately £600 million.
Caroline Lucas
Green
Brighton, Pavilion
Caroline Lucas focuses on HS2's environmental harm, questioning its necessity in a climate emergency context. She highlights the loss of ancient woodland and challenges the Government's claim of 'no net loss' to biodiversity. Additionally, she points out HS2's carbon emissions over 120 years and calls for alternatives that could better serve ecological needs.
Newcastle upon Tyne North
Calling for greater connectivity in northern cities, Catherine McKinnell stressed the importance of integrating HS2 with Northern Powerhouse Rail and upgrading existing lines like the east coast main line. She warned that neglecting these upgrades could undermine levelling up efforts.
Craig Tracey
Con
North Warwickshire
I did not get called in the debate but oppose HS2. The Oakervee review found that the benefit-cost ratio dropped from 2.3 to 1.1, and could drop further post-pandemic.
Esther McVey
Con
Tatton
Esther McVey highlighted the excessive costs of HS2, which have risen from £37.5 billion to £150 billion. She questioned the validity of previously stated cost estimates and called for a re-vote in the House of Commons based on new information about the project's true costs provided by whistleblowers within HS2. The Minister should provide full answers to questions that could not be addressed during the debate.
Gavin Newlands
SNP
Paisley and Renfrewshire North
The SNP supports high-speed rail in principle but criticises HS2 for its lack of emphasis on connectivity across the UK, especially with Wales. The project's costs are increasing, and devolved nations must not be left out of pocket as a result. Environmental concerns have been raised, particularly regarding HS2's impact on ancient woodlands and aquifers.
Graham Stringer
Lab
Blackley and Middleton South
HS2 should not be seen in isolation; it can free up capacity for both passengers and freight, improving connectivity across northern England. I argue that HS3 (Liverpool-Hull railway) complements HS2 rather than competes with it.
Greg Smith
Con
Mid Buckinghamshire
Mr Smith criticised HS2 for its excessive costs, which have risen to £146 billion, and questioned the project's economic viability. He highlighted environmental destruction, including damage to nature reserves and wildlife habitats, and expressed concern about the human impact on residents along the route.
Hilary Benn
Lab
Leeds South
Expressed concern over reports of the Government's wavering commitment to building HS2, particularly in bringing it to Leeds. Hoped that the Minister would reaffirm the full commitment to the project.
Ian Paisley Jnr
DUP
North Antrim
The hon. Member for Coventry North West has outlined the criteria of honesty, transparency, value for money and openness. HS2 has failed on all these fronts due to rocketing costs.
James Murray
Lab Co-op
Ealing North
Noted substantial impact and disruption caused by vent shaft works associated with tunnelling under Ealing North. Requested the Minister's review of survey results from residents on Carr Road and Badminton Close, seeking improved communication and accountability from HS2.
Jason McCartney
Con
Colne Valley
Investment in HS2 is not instead of but as well as upgrading the TransPennine route, Northern Powerhouse Rail and local infrastructure for better jobs, connectivity and environment.
Jeremy Wright
Con
Kenilworth and Southam
The line should have followed existing transport corridors to reduce environmental damage. HS2 Ltd has acted thoughtlessly, failing to communicate effectively about their works and causing significant disruption to residents. The budget has risen dramatically without accountability.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
Asked whether there should be a commitment from the Government to provide job opportunities in Northern Ireland as part of the levelling-up process related to HS2 construction.
Questioned the initial assumptions about costs and benefits for HS2, suggesting that the current situation with only 50-60% rail journey usage undermines the project's economic case. Requested a reassessment by Ministers.
Joy Morrissey
Con
Beaconsfield
Morrissey spoke on behalf of Denham and Colne Valley residents, highlighting environmental damage to ancient woodlands and aquifers caused by HS2 construction.
Khalid Mahmood
Lab
Small Heath
Raised the case of his constituent who had given up land and business for HS2 but has not received compensation despite three years of waiting in a dire financial situation. HS2 management in Birmingham has not made funding available for Darren Barnett and his colleagues, causing financial strain. The Minister should meet them to move the issue forward.
Kieran Mullan
Con
Bexhill and Battle
Supporting the HS2 project, Kieran Mullan highlighted Crewe's railway heritage and its importance for local businesses. He argued against making major decisions based on temporary pandemic travel patterns and emphasized the need to upgrade existing infrastructure while considering MPs' feedback.
Lilian Greenwood
Lab
Nottingham South
I agree with the argument that HS2 is necessary for freight movements, as we need to increase railway capacity to move more goods off roads and onto trains.
Margaret Greenwood raised concerns over the environmental impact, spiralling costs, and uncertainty regarding travel patterns post-pandemic. She questioned whether HS2 aligns with efforts to combat climate change and urged for an urgent reassessment of the project's viability given new working conditions facilitated by digital technology.
Matt Western
Lab
Warwick and Leamington
Western suggested that the scale and importance of HS2 merit a debate in the main Chamber with more time allocated for discussion.
Recalled that when HS2 was first planned, it would have connected to Birmingham New Street instead of Curzon Street, offering better connectivity. Also noted that the original plan included a direct connection with HS1 for travel to continental Europe.
Rachael Maskell
Lab Co-op
York Central
The project must be integrated with the rest of the rail network. The economic opportunity promised by HS2 has not translated into reality in York, where only 6,500 jobs are expected compared to 36,000 in Crewe and 37,000 in Curzon Street.
Rob Butler
Con
Aylesbury
Rob Butler is concerned about the negative impacts of HS2 on his constituency, including economic inefficiency, environmental destruction, and potential flooding. He cites specific examples such as the impact on Stoke Mandeville, Fairford Leys, Aylesbury, Wendover, and the lack of detailed knowledge regarding construction's impact on local aquifers.
Argued that HS2 will help take freight and polluting lorries off roads, allowing more capacity on railways for electric trains, which would benefit the environment.
Robert Largan
Lab
Stockport
Mr Largan argues that HS2 is essential to address capacity issues on the west coast main line. He dismisses claims that remote working and internet use will solve the problem, citing increased rail passenger figures despite technological advancements. Mr Largan also addresses cost concerns by comparing it to overseas aid spending and highlights HS2's potential to improve other transport projects such as Northern Powerhouse Rail.
Sarah Green
Lib Dem
Chesham and Amersham
Ms Green opposed HS2 due to local concerns about its environmental impact and lack of trust in HS2 Ltd. She raised specific issues regarding water supply contamination, citing a loss of bentonite that affected the groundwater quality, and called for increased transparency from HS2.
Tan Dhesi
Lab
Slough
The MP expressed concerns about the Government's inadequate handling of HS2 and highlighted the project's importance for decarbonisation, job creation, and connectivity. He noted that between June 2018 and June 2019, passenger journeys reached 1.77 billion but due to the pandemic, rail usage dropped to just 4% last year. Dhesi called for continued commitment to HS2's eastern leg to Leeds and emphasized the need for addressing environmental and logistical issues through engagement and transparency.
Tulip Siddiq
Lab
Hampstead and Highgate
The construction of vent shafts for HS2 in her constituency is causing major disruption to residents, especially those in deprived areas. The cost has quintupled since 2010, raising questions about whether the environmental damage and disruption are worth the £106 billion price tag.
Yvette Cooper
Lab
Pontefract, Castleford and Knottingley
I am sceptical about HS2's value for money and suggest investing in alternative projects with stronger economic benefits. The Minister should consider the impact of Zoom on business travel.
Zarah Sultana
Your Party
Coventry South
Supported her colleague's concerns about HS2, highlighting the environmental issues and noise pollution affecting residents. Called for noise-cancelling barriers to mitigate disruption.
Government Response
Andrew Stephenson
Government Response
It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Mr Mundell. I thank the hon. Member for Coventry North West (Taiwo Owatemi) and all Members who contributed. The high-speed rail programme continues to receive public scrutiny. I address key issues raised during this debate, noting that HS2 is a long-term investment in the future of our country. We look at changing working patterns and their impacts on transport investment, regeneration, and other areas. We intend to bring forward a western leg Bill with projections for the whole network published soon. My hon. Friends continue to push me on the Golborne spur; this will be decided as part of the integrated rail plan. I review all cases brought to my attention by right hon. and hon. Members, including those involving property issues. HS2 is going full steam ahead with more than 300 active construction sites along the line of route from Birmingham to London. We have achieved significant milestones this year, supporting over 20,000 jobs since the Prime Minister declared the formal start of construction last year. I agree that HS2 inspires strong feelings on all sides but emphasize its importance as a once-in-a-generation major infrastructure project that will shape this country for well over 100 years.
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