Live HS2 Statement House of Commons

record. This now maintain an orderly atmosphere as the Secretary of State

for transport makes his way to the dispatch box to deliver his

statement. Secretary Chris Grayling. Well, Mr Speaker may start by saying

how grateful I am for that statement. I am pleased to be front

of the House tonight and as you know Mr Speaker sometimes these things

can happen as a result of clock up rather than conspiracy. Today, Mr

Speaker Martine major milestone in the German fans to deliver HST. It

would have is the real capacity network that will need for the next

century and faster journeys and kinetic collectivity between cities

in the UK. As a next to the House to the UK will wording stage one for

the phase one would from London to Birmingham. This was covers design

and preconstruction activities but it is safe to say that initial work

is safe to say that initial works are begun. We expect the contracts

to be signed by the end of this month after the completion of the

mandatory standstill period. Stages one and stage is the full

construction phase is worth ?6.2 billion. They will create about

16,000 during jobs around the country and expected to create 7000

opportunities in the supply chain of which I expect about 60% to go to

SMEs. Mr Speaker, as well as that announcement, I'm today introducing

the faith to a high-speed rail Westminster to crew -- West Midlands

to crew. This is only had that the Westminster putt the design of the

root said that in the Bill was likely as announced in 2015 however

there are three refinements following consultation latter. I

have decided to move the connection to the West Coast mainline and the

start of the tunnel in crew further south, and also decided to move the

construction railhead from the Basra area near As many of that opinion

say no. To -- As many of that opinion say no. Norristown.

Attributed to the better side from which to maintain phase two A. This

new silicon can book construction going north and south

simultaneously. It will act good access to the M6 in the existing

rail network at this location. Speaking of Crewe at moving family

bathroom area where voice housing regeneration in that area and

reduces the impact of only two a route. It was were saying that that

area Basford is one of their most significant economic and housing

development areas. These have also been carefully designed to minimise

the local impact, particularly the community of John Field and having

heard local In preparing this Bill, HS two has

sought to minimise the impact on environment and communities. There

will now be a consultation, which will provide the opportunity to

comment on the environmental effects and the reasonable alternatives

considered. This process will result in a report from an independent

assessor, provided to all members of the House before the second reading.

Turning now to crew. The... I know there is a strong ambition to

achieve this. I am launching a consultation in options to develop a

crew hub. This will extend to Stoke-on-Trent and bring benefits to

places like Chester, North and South Wales, and Shrewsbury. It will be

subject to affordability and value for money. A Crewe hub will require

working together, but I believe there is the potential to develop

more benefits. Finally, I announce my decision on the outstanding

sections of the phase two route to Leeds, consulted on last year. After

carefully considering the responses, I have considered this issue very

carefully. I have decided to confirm the following changes to the route.

Though Westlake rolling stock depot will move to a site north of Crewe.

This will be included in the full environmental assessment. I have

looked carefully at that assessment. A 26 kilometre section of the route

in the middle will change and be raised as it passes through the

Cheshire salt plains to avoid brining and gas storage

infrastructure. The changes to Manchester Piccadilly station will

reduce impact on residential areas and a primary school. The route near

East Midlands Airport will follow the eastern side of the a 42, which

avoids tunnelling under the airport and reduces the impact on some

communities. In Long Eaton, the route will pass on a viaduct, the

route in South Yorkshire will be the group we we consulted on and serves

Sheffield City centre by a spur on the HS2 line. I am asking HS2 to

take forward a provision giving a City centre to City centre

connection, which is important for the future development of Northern

Powerhouse rail as well. We will continue to work on the Parkway

station. Finally, I have decided not to proceed with the proposed change

of fruit in East mission. This route has moved approximately

80 metres and the viaduct extended to mitigate commercial property

impact. I have also heard the concerns raised by local communities

about the proposed Eastern leg rolling stop depot. There is a

better option on which I am now consulting, east of Leeds and the

air Valley, adjacent to the M1 on a Brownfield site. I intend to bring

forward a third hybrid, and in preparation of that Bill, HS2 is

consulting on the methodology to be used. Today's decision, I know,

bring certainty to communities that have been unsure for years. I am

updating the construction and operation of the line. I can also

confirm the same range of property schemes currently operating phase

one and phase two A will be available for phase two B. This goes

what is required by law and gives assistance to those along the route.

I have made amendments to some of the detail of urban brutal

boundaries for phase to be. Mr Speaker, a report published today

by property specialists tell us the particular circumstance of the

development in South Yorkshire, it means the package may not allow some

homeowners to acquire a similar property in the area. In light of

the findings, I can confirm the government will ensure homeowners

can secure a comparable home as referred to in my summary document,

to won from concept to reality, which is published today. That is

really important, Mr Speaker. We need HS2, since privatisation, the

number of passenger journeys on our rail network has doubled. We cannot

continue to rely on the legacy of our round network. HS2 will free up

space on existing railways, reducing overcrowding, allowing options for

more varied and frequent services, including four places which

currently do not have a good connection to London. This will

allow more freight trains, and could double the number of peak-time seats

on services, compared to today. It has the potential to double peak

seats from London to Peterborough, and East Coast destinations further

north. Significant investment needs to offer good value for money, as

HS2 does, and I am publishing today be updated business case for phase

two, showing that including wider economic benefits, the network will

create ?2.30 benefit for every ?1 spent. We want to make the best of

our investment in HS2. When phase one becomes operational, HS2 trains

will run all over the UK. Phase two will reduce journey times between

London, Glasgow and Edinburgh, and to my Scottish colleagues, we will

continue to work with transport Scotland and Network Rail to look at

the best ways to reduce times towards an ultimate ambition of

three-hour journey times. We are also looking at opportunities to use

HS2 to support Northern Powerhouse rail and Midlands connect. I know

that for those living along the line of route, today's announcement will

not be welcome news. There will be concerned over how HS two will work.

I am determined that we will engage extensively with everyone affected

and we will show fairness, compassion and respect. All the

products mentioned today will be in the hybrid of both houses. Our plan

for Britain is to build a stronger, fairer country with an economy that

works for everyone, with wealth and opportunity spread across the

country. And we set up to succeed in the long term. Investment is a key

part of this. To one that will be the backbone of the new rail

network, and will transfer ice into the 21st century. It will bring our

country closer together and support our economic growth. The benefits of

HS2 will be felt across the whole United Kingdom, and I commend this

statement to the House. Andy MacDonald. Thank you, Mr Speaker. I

thank you, Mr Speaker, for hearing the point of order earlier today

made by my right honourable friend, the Member for Doncaster North. What

can encourage the Secretary of State to better inform the House of the

crucial decisions he has reached on one of the most significant, costly

pieces of transport infrastructure that this country has proposed the

many a year. Acts the Secretary of State will explain what happened

earlier today, given the widespread trailing of an oral statement on the

anticipated announcement, but subsequent disappointment of this

House at being asked to settle initially for a written statement

that is until such times as the outcry seemingly reached the

Transport Secretary's years, and his somewhat elated appearance in the

chamber here tonight. Mr Speaker, Labour has consistently supported

HS2, and the attendant benefits it will bring. And indeed, was its

initial proposer in 2009. But that support brings with it many

questions. On the construction, there are concerns that companies

selected to do this blacklisted workers. What assurances can

Secretary of State give that no such practices will be tolerated in

delivery of HS2? Far too often insignificant project in recent

times, overseas contractors and there are several that have been

awarded contract here, have brought in their own labour, and have

exclusively recruited from jurisdictions outside the UK.

Clearly, HS2 represents huge employment and career opportunities

for apprentices and established workers alike, so can the Secretary

of State guarantee that the practices we have seen, the

construction industry that have excluded UK workers from projects,

will not be allowed to obtain in the construction of HS2? There are

concerns about the financial health of Karelian. Can he suggest these

measures he has put in place to assure the financial stability of

any contractors will not delay or add to the cost of the project. It

wasn't his job to monitor conflict of interest in the delivery of HS2,

but given the revelations of the revolving door, between HS2 and the

engineering firm, does he access that he does in fact have such an

obligation if the public are to have confidence in the contractual

arrangements between HS2 and the contractors. And on the overall

cost, what assurances and guarantees can he give that the total cost will

not exceed the stated ?55.7 billion, and will not spiral as has been

alleged in certain quarters. In one of the many documents published

today, we were told that in adopting the route in South Yorkshire, whilst

HS2 Limited has included in the costs of the estimate of a junction

north of Sheffield and back onto the HS2 line, it hasn't costed

electrification of the Midland mainline between Clay Cross and

Sheffield Midland. Or from Sheffield to the north. So can the Secretary

of State therefore advise the House whether it is intention that the

line be electrified in readiness HS2, and if so, when, or whether he

is working on the basis that trains to Sheffield will be bimodal and the

line will remain an electrified. Can the Secretary of State supply

particulars in respect of potential Parkway stations, and can Secretary

of State also provide an update as to the progress of a northern East

to West rail link up to the north-west, namely Crossrail for the

North, and its connection with HS2, and what discussions he has had with

transport for the North in that regard. Finally, will he reassure

the House that the announcement on the progress on HS2 will not be

followed by an announcement of further yet delays of

electrification of the trans-Pennine route. I am grateful for the

opposition's support for the HS2 project, and I hope we can work

together on it. It unites the House, or a large proportion, in this is a

necessary development. As I said a moment ago, I am pleased to be here

now. We have clock up and not conspiracy. On the construction

contracts, let me say first of all that we have contracted a range of

significant British companies as part of the awarding of the contract

today. We have a range of consortia participating. Many of the consortia

are an integral part of Crossrail, our biggest engineering project

here, and the biggest in Europe. We have a good team of UK

organisations, international organisations, used to working in

this country to deliver big infrastructure projects. The

assurance I give to the honourable gentleman of the House, I have been

clear all along that those companies that win contracts for HS2, whether

it is the construction, we will have an obligation to make a commitment

to leave a lasting skills project, apprenticeships, skills development

and we have colleges in Birmingham and Doncaster that will help develop

real expertise for the future. We would all hope it pulls through

because I want to see British business succeed. Carrilion are

committed to deliver their part of the contract, and I am confident,

what ever the situation, the consortium will deliver the results

we expect. We talked about conflict of interest. HS2M have pulled out of

the contract and I want to assure we have proper behaviour by companies

in the future or they will not be able to continue to work for us if

they do not do the right thing. He asked about the total cost, there

have been wild rumours in the last 24 hours about the cost of the

project based on, frankly, a finger in the air by people not involved in

the project. I Sibley remind the House that it is ridiculous to

suggest HS2 costs five times the value of HS one.

It is currently on-time and on budget, and I expect it to that way.

We have been good with Crossrail and the Olympics, delivering on time,

and I am sure we will carry on doing so. He asked about the elective

vocation of the 18 route. I see the link is an important part.

In terms of the whole northern powerhouse rail project, I am

waiting for transport for the North to bring forward their proposals.

And indeed, with modernisation, nothing has changed. Can I thank you

and the Secretary of State to coming to make a statement on this

important project, even at this late time of night. I am willing to

discuss HS2 with the Secretary of State at any time of the night or

day. The Secretary of State has put a great deal of confidence in the

contractors he announced today, who he is an awarding set 6p of taxpayer

money to. But by glancing at recent news reports, an Austrian firm is

pulling out of a hydroelectric plant contract in Bosnia, and they sought

to increase the contract price. Subtitles will resume

on 'Monday In Parliament' at 2300.