{"id":50532,"date":"2014-11-20T15:17:00","date_gmt":"2014-11-20T15:17:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/mostafa.openonline.co.uk\/?guid=c7b6e16b825c3f1abadda247d6bcface"},"modified":"2014-11-20T15:17:00","modified_gmt":"2014-11-20T15:17:00","slug":"speech-launch-of-the-independent-transport-commissions-hs2-report","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mostafa.openonline.co.uk\/?p=50532","title":{"rendered":"Speech: Launch of the Independent Transport Commission’s HS2 report"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

Thank you.<\/p>\n

It is 4 and a half years since this government set out plans to build HS2<\/abbr><\/a>.<\/p>\n

It is the flagship scheme in a much wider programme of transport investment.<\/p>\n

Which will be worth \u00a373 billion between 2015 and 2021 alone.<\/p>\n

We are modernising our transport infrastructure not just to tackle congestion and overcrowding.<\/p>\n

And not just to make journeys reliable once again.<\/p>\n

We\u2019re making the biggest investment in transport for generations.<\/p>\n

Because we know transport is an engine for growth and opportunity.<\/p>\n

And that\u2019s certainly true of HS2<\/abbr>.<\/p>\n

We\u2019ve made huge progress since 2010.<\/p>\n

We made the case for the new line.<\/p>\n

Around capacity, better connections and economic growth.<\/p>\n

And we\u2019ve passed the major milestone for the HS2<\/abbr> programme when the House of Commons approved the hybrid Bill on the principle of high speed 2 and the route from London to the West Midlands, at second reading.<\/p>\n

Over this time, the debate over high speed rail has moved on too.<\/p>\n

From whether we build HS2<\/abbr>.<\/p>\n

To how we build it.<\/p>\n

Subject to Royal Assent, construction of HS2<\/abbr> starts in just 3 years\u2019 time.<\/p>\n

So our focus now is how to get the very best results from our investment.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s why I welcome this timely report from the ITC<\/abbr>.<\/p>\n

We\u2019ve built up some useful experience delivering big infrastructure in recent years.<\/p>\n

St Pancras. King\u2019s Cross. Heathrow Terminal 5. The London Olympics.<\/p>\n

But this is on a different scale.<\/p>\n

High Speed 2 (HS2<\/abbr>) is the biggest infrastructure investment in the UK for a generation.<\/p>\n

So we\u2019re keen to make sure we learn every possible lesson.<\/p>\n

Not just from HS1<\/abbr>, here in the UK but also from other countries who have invested in high speed rail.<\/p>\n

The ITC<\/abbr> has rigorously examined high speed rail projects on the Continent.<\/p>\n

And the experiences of cities like Lille, Rotterdam, and Antwerp can only help us in the UK as we further develop our high speed rail plans.<\/p>\n

I\u2019m particularly pleased that the report\u2019s conclusions are similar to those of the HS2<\/abbr> Growth Taskforce<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Both emphasise the need for close engagement between central and local government.<\/p>\n

The need for early decision making.<\/p>\n

The importance of integrating high speed with the rest of the transport network.<\/p>\n

And the need for cities and regions with HS2<\/abbr> stations to show leadership.<\/p>\n

In developing their own plans for economic regeneration.<\/p>\n

Last week I was in Birmingham.<\/p>\n

Where I was impressed to see plans to regenerate the areas around Curzon Street and Solihull HS2<\/abbr> stations.<\/p>\n

The Curzon Street programme alone is expected to create 14,000 jobs and 4,000 homes.<\/p>\n

I\u2019m sure this report will be of great interest to the partnerships working in Birmingham.<\/p>\n

And in the other proposed station cities.<\/p>\n

Where they are looking to maximise the benefits of HS2<\/abbr> in terms of transport connectivity and the opportunities it brings.<\/p>\n

I was pleased to see that the report doesn\u2019t just highlight best practice abroad.<\/p>\n

It celebrates the successes we\u2019ve had here.<\/p>\n

Particularly with the regeneration of King\u2019s Cross.<\/p>\n

And will help provide a model for the rest of the HS2<\/abbr> programme.<\/p>\n

That in turn, will influence the next stage of the high speed journey.<\/p>\n

As the Prime Minister announced, we are already looking at HS3<\/abbr><\/a>.<\/p>\n

An east-west line joining up the great cities of the north.<\/p>\n

From Liverpool to Hull.<\/p>\n

And also the potential for extending the high speed network north of Leeds and Manchester to Scotland.<\/p>\n

So can I thank the ITC<\/abbr> for producing this excellent report.<\/p>\n

It comes at a crucial time for HS2<\/abbr>.<\/p>\n

A time of real momentum.<\/p>\n

Of changing priorities.<\/p>\n

As the bill completes its journey through Parliament.<\/p>\n

As we move from planning to procurement.<\/p>\n

And as we start thinking about delivery.<\/p>\n

I\u2019m sure it\u2019s going to be a valuable source of information and inspiration.<\/p>\n

To everyone working on this amazing project.<\/p>\n

Thank you.<\/p>\n

Related ITC<\/abbr> documents<\/h2>\n