HS2 ‘on course’
NIC Chairman Lord Adonis plays down fears that the General Election result poses a threat to planned infrastructure.
NATIONAL Infrastructure Commission Chairman Lord Adonis has played down fears that the General Election result will pose a threat to planned major infrastructure projects in the UK, including construction of HS2 and Crossrail 2.
Speaking at the National Infrastructure Forum in London on June 13, he said that the absence of a Government with a clear Parliamentary majority would not affect this area of public expenditure, owing to the high level of support among MPs sitting on all sides of the House of Commons.
Amid speculation that a second General Election could be called later this year, Adonis emphasised that all major political parties recognised the economic benefits of continued investment and had consistently given it their backing, indicating that it would be an expected policy of any future government regardless of its composition.
“I can’t predict what will happen in the very fluid political situation we’re in, but my message is that the infrastructure pipeline is entirely safe and something that broadly unites the major political parties,” he said.
“There is a high degree of consensus in the need for longterm infrastructure investment. I urge you not to be distracted by lurid headlines of instability.”
In terms of HS2, Adonis said that Royal Assent for Phase 1 earlier this year had guaranteed its safety from cancellation or postponement, while plans for Phase 2, Crossrail 2 and Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR) were all likely to proceed as planned.
“There is no uncertainty whatsoever [regarding HS2 Phase 1]. The legislation for building 100 miles of new railway came before the election. HS2 Ltd has already spent £1 billion on development, and construction will start next year. The first fact of HS2 is that it is no longer in our hands, and is now beyond politics.
“Having a hung Parliament will not affect that legislation at all, and the timetable for Phase 2b is
on course. Route decisions will be announced later this year, and I see no reason whatsoever for any delay. It would be utterly mad to build a railway line to Birmingham and stop there.
“Developments are at an advanced stage for Crossrail 2 and Northern Powerhouse Rail. Although no decisions have been made yet, there is a huge amount of cross-party support and it will be top of the new metro mayors’ agendas to secure this key investment to improve connectivity between cities.
“We live in uncertain times, but we have bold infrastructure priorities and commitments and I think that the programme that is there will be delivered.”
On Crossrail 2 and NPR, Adonis conceded that the lack of legislation did technically make them less safeguarded than the first phase of HS2, but he was optimistic that it would have no bearing on the ultimate outcome of the new Government’s decision whether to proceed with these projects.
“It [the General Election result] could delay Crossrail 2 and NPR, but I’m confident that it won’t because there’s strong support for these projects from the main political parties,” he said.
“The Government is appraising Crossrail 2, and is working on a revised scheme from Transport for London and hoping an announcement can be made in the next few months. We’re making satisfactory progress on project development, and I have a high degree of confidence in the team developing Crossrail 2.”