HS2 case left ‘in tatters’ by committee’s report, Warwickshire campaigners claim

A report by the transport select committee, released this week, says there is a good case for the HS2 link between London, Birmingham and beyond but listed a number of areas where the current proposal falls down.

These include issues regarding the economic case for the £30 billion project and its environmental effect, campaigners against the project have said.

Burton Green resident Jerry Marshall, who is the chairman of Action Groups Against HS2 (AGAHST), said: “Given the partisan composition of the committee we welcome the significant number of issues that its report has raised around the fatal flaws in HS2’s business case.

“Specifically, that viable alternatives to HS2 have not been investigated thoroughly - that the value of potential productivity gains delivered by HS2 have been greatly inflated and lastly the technical feasibility of being able to run 18 trains per hour is a risk.

“This simply leaves the case for HS2 in tatters.”

The committee has recommended that ministers should firmly commit to extending the line to both Leeds and Manchester before seeking parliamentary approval for the London to Birmingham Route.

Members said what should be serious and factually-based debate had too often been reduced to name-calling and caricature and demanded the government desist from dismissing HS2’s opponents as nimbys.

They also warned it would be counterproductive if investment in HS2 led to cuts in rail investment elsewhere.

Labour MP Louise Ellman, the committee’s chairman, said the scheme was affordable and would improve the quality and frequency of rail services between major cities.

She added: “High-speed rail may be a catalyst for economic growth, helping to rebalance the economy and bridge the north-south divide.

“But the Government must do more to promote regional growth strategies to ensure we get maximum economic benefit from high-speed rail.”

Warwickshire County Councillor John Whitehouse (Lib Dem, Kenilworth Abbey) said there is now an overwhelming case for a public enquiry into HS2.

He added: “For the Government to proceed despite the questions raised would be totally wrong.”