With 'notice to proceed' delayed again, halt all HS2 enabling work immediately.

Because HS2 is an unjustifiable project, with terrible management that has not been subject to enough scrutiny, it will not face 'notice to proceed' tests before December. Consequently, HS2 Ltd must be stopped from trying to make it harder to cancel HS2 by maximising expenditure and destruction now.

Whilst supporters of HS2 pretend construction has started, the DfT has confirmed that only the highly destructive enabling works are taking place, years behind schedule. Construction and the release of full funds cannot happen until HS2 Ltd gets notice to proceed, by passing “Management Capability, Affordability of Contracts & Robustness of Revised Business Case” tests. If it is tested impartially on these bases, I believe it will fail all of them and be cancelled, so they should stop causing damage now.

The Government is committed to delivering HS2 from London to Birmingham and on to Crewe, Manchester, Sheffield and Leeds. There are already well over 7,000 people and 2,000 businesses working to deliver the project. At the peak of construction there will be 30,000 people working on HS2 with 70% of these jobs based outside London.

Britain’s rail network is almost full. Demand on the West Coast Main Line (WCML) has increased 190% since 1995. People are often standing the whole way on long distance journeys and we need a solution. The line is close to capacity at peak times and it is difficult to increase service levels further.

The Government’s analysis shows that, as a new line, HS2 is the best option for taking pressure off the existing rail network and adding capacity where it is needed most to accommodate growth and improve resilience. By providing direct inter-city services on dedicated high-speed lines, HS2 will free up space on the West and East Coast mainlines. The new line will improve passenger experience and allow operators to run more services.

HS2 Phase One has been approved by Parliament with the overwhelming support of MP’s, being passed by a majority of 399 to 42 in its final vote in the House of Commons. The contracts for the main engineering work have been awarded and are based upon a two-stage design and build strategy. Main construction works including building tunnels, bridges, embankments, cuttings and viaducts are due to commence following Notice-to-Proceed.

Notice-to-Proceed is the formal contractual process which enables Phase One suppliers to move from the design and development phase to construction. The Government will only authorise HS2 Ltd to move to this stage once it is satisfied about both affordability and value for money. The Government will publish an updated full business case for Phase One once HS2 Ltd has reached agreement with its suppliers.