HS2 6th Monthly Report Nov 23

[Nicholas Lewis]

I'm afraid there's far too much misinformation and ignorance being talked about as fact in this thread to even begin to start unpicking. However, for those who want to learn about HS2 from people who do know what they're talking bout may I recommend the 'Green Signals' podcasts by former Rail Editor Nigel Harris and his co-presenter Richard Bowker (formerly of Virgin Trains and the SRA). They have some very informative guests too - such as Prof Andrew McNaughton, the man who led the design of HS2. https://www.greensignals.org/

Thanks for pointing out that podcast. Very good and at last some people trying to rally the industry to expose what is really going on behind the scenes and speak out against current govt policy and its consequences of DafT decisions. With respect to HS2 clearly govt is top of the tree on HS2 and latest episode with Andrew McNaughton as guest does crystallise very neatly the mess we have arrived at but whilst saying they aren't apologists for HS2 Ltd they really need to shine a light on how this project has been managed as its the overspend years before the project is finished that is scaring the govt and causing them to make rash decisions over phase 2. Hopefully govt wont be able to dismantle it entirely before the election clock runs out and Labour will at least take another look at what should be salvaged ie 2A.

 

[HurdyGurdy]

they really need to shine a light on how this project has been managed as its the overspend years before the project is finished that is scaring the govt and causing them to make rash decisions over phase 2.

McNaughton made very valid observations about how frequent changes of scope, phasing and the political/commercial choice to push risk onto contractors will inflate construction costs. But having done so, that insight was left hanging. I really wished one of the panel had asked as a follow-up; 'If that's the case, why is it that the decision makers and the industry (and it's not just HS2) continue to do this?'.

Sadly, I doubt the podcast panel is going to confront the industry in any meaningful way about its part in the debacle.

 

[Nicholas Lewis]

McNaughton made very valid observations about how frequent changes of scope, phasing and the political/commercial choice to push risk onto contractors will inflate construction costs. But having done so, that insight was left hanging. I really wished one of the panel had asked as a follow-up; 'If that's the case, why is it that the decision makers and the industry (and it's not just HS2) continue to do this?'.

Sadly, I doubt the podcast panel is going to confront the industry in any meaningful way about its part in the debacle.

Couldn't expect that from a podcast but there is lot to be questioned here over how and why costs have steadily grown here both from political interference to HS2 Ltd contracting strategy and overall project management. The Public Accounts Committee have highlighted these issues in previous reports, as has National Audit Office, yet HS2 Ltd and their DfT masters are found wanting and nett result is the mess that we are left with. Its pretty scandalous but then so much else is with this government that nothing will come of it.