Boris, HS2 and an act of national self-mutilation
Ex-Transport Secretary Adonis writes for the Post
THE ‘architect’ of HS2, Lord Adonis, has been confirmed as the keynote speaker at the Birmingham Post Business Awards next month.
The peer, who as transport secretary in 2009 published the original plan for HS2, will address an audience of the region’s key business and political leaders in the midst of the controversial review of the project ordered by new Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
Writing for the Birmingham Post this week, Lord Adonis said HS2 was essential for the future
prosperity of the UK. He said: “Of course we need better management and cost control.
“And course there are many other transport and infrastructure priorities.
“We need HS3 linking the northern cities, as well as HS2.
“The Birmingham metro, and West Midlands public transport at large, need dramatic improvement.
“But cancelling HS2 will undermine them too.”
The Birmingham Post Business Awards is a major event in the the city’s business calendar, and has long celebrated the innovation and creativity of the businesses that make the region one of the fastest growing in the UK.
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps announced the review of the HS2 project last week, to examine “whether and how HS2 should proceed”.
The review of the project, which is backed by many business groups but has faced strong opposition over its spiralling costs and impact on areas along the proposed route, will report to the Government by the autumn. The review will be led by former HS2 Ltd chairman Douglas Oakervee and will be sent to Mr Shapps with “oversight from the Prime Minister and Chancellor of the Exchequer” by the autumn, the Department for Transport said.
The Birmingham Post Business Awards 2019 is this year hosted by the journalist and broadcaster Daisy McAndrew, and held at Birmingham’s ICC on September 12.