Build all of HS2 at same time, say MPs
Both phases of HS2 should be built simultaneously, bringing forward the completion date by years, according to a report published today by MPs.
The Commons Transport Committee called for both phases of the £50 billion project to be built at the same time as members claimed it was 'essential'.
The risks of not going ahead with the project 'significantly outweigh the risks of doing so,' added the report. The recommendation to combine construction of phases one and two would mean the 330 miles of track could be completed as much as seven years earlier than envisaged.
Current plans would see the London to Birmingham leg completed in 2026 with the second, Y-shaped, section which will cut a swathe through 45 miles of Staffordshire due to be finished by 2033. The committee said it remained 'convinced' that the project was justified, although the MPs said they would not accept other vital transport projects being sidelined.
In the report, MPs said that incoming HS2 Ltd chairman Sir David Higgins should report to ministers by the end of 2014 on whether the two phases could be completed simultaneously.
Louise Ellman, who chairs the committee, said: "We remain confident that construction of a new high-speed line is the only way to deliver the step change in capacity on the West Coast Main Line needed to accommodate long-term demand for both passengers and rail freight.
"If we are to spread the benefits from HS2 as widely as possible, it is vital we improve links between the conventional and high-speed networks and bring forward projects to speed up journey times on the conventional network."
The report states that the committee's support is 'not unqualified' and raises questions about a report from project consultants KPMG on the economic benefits.
The report states: "The DfT's written evidence clearly identifies the limitations with KPMG's research, referring to 'challenging' forecasts and 'uncertain' results.
"However, in other contexts the department has referred to HS2 generating '£15billion of economic benefits annually' without significant qualification."
