HS2 mastermind says he wants to milk project for all it's worth
The controversial HS2 could become as successful as the Olympics, the former London 2012 boss claimed today.
Lord Deighton, who masterminded the acclaimed sporting showcase alongside Lord Coe, has brought together a taskforce of transport experts to 'milk' the £42.6 billion scheme 'for all it's worth'.
He said the day the first high-speed train pulls into the Curzon Street station in Birmingham would be the HS2 equivalent of 'Super Saturday' – when Jessica Ennis, Mo Farah and Greg Rutherford all won athletics gold medals in the Olympic Stadium.
Speaking exclusively to the Express & Star on a visit to West Midlands, the commercial secretary to the Treasury said gaining public support for HS2 was crucial. "It has many similarities to the Olympics," he said.
"Like any project you need to deliver it on time and on budget, and we need to make sure we deliver on all the benefits of this considerable investment.
"Every day I woke up while I was delivering the Olympics I had to demonstrate it would deliver value for money. People were sceptical throughout, but when they came and experienced the final product and what it was all about the rest became history.
"We have shown we can do big projects and that is what we intend to do with HS2. We have a good track record." Lord Deighton brought his taskforce to Birmingham yesterday as part of its first regional visit along the route.
Among its 14 members are Sir Albert Bore, leader Birmingham City Council, former transport minister Steven Norris, and music mogul and train enthusiast Pete Waterman.
"It is a very significant investment of taxpayers' money and the reasons I have brought together the taskforce is to make sure we do everything possible within this project, such as driving in new skills, encouraging expertise and looking at all the regeneration opportunities. I want to milk it for all it's worth."
