The Facts

In challenging the case for HS2 51m is joined by a large number of professional bodies, independent national organisations, institutes and analysts. The following sections cover the principal areas that must be used to measure the project's ability to meet the many claims that have been put forward by the Department for Transport and HS2 Ltd. 

The 51m response to the decision to proceed

The business case for HS2, already poor, has become far, far worse. The published 'Benefit Cost Ratio' for the London to Birmingham section has declined from a predicted 2.7 return for every pound spent in March 2010, to 1.7 in 2012. Far worse, when the figures are adjusted for known risks buried deep in the report, such as the latest economic forecasts, updated forecasting methods and a more realistic value of the time saved by passengers, the return drops as low as a dire 90p for every pound. In other words, HS2 actually loses the hard-pressed taxpayer 10p for every one of the £32 billion spent on it. This is well below the threshold that the Department for Transport would normally allow for any project. No wonder the Government tried to 'bury bad news'. By contrast, the Government's own consultants show that the alternative put forward by the 51m - improving our existing lines at far lower cost, has a 'Benefit Cost Ratio' of 5, delivering £5 for every taxpayers' pound invested. No wonder the Government tried so hard to discredit this far better option.

The economic/business facts

This section looks into business case for HS2. The key considerations cover: value for money, commercial issues, financial affordability and how the project might be delivered. The economic appraisal looks at the full economic costs of the scheme and quantifies these in monetary terms. You can find details prepared by both HS2 Limited and 51m by clicking on the links below.

Link to HS2 http://highspeedrail.dft.gov.uk/library/documents/economic-case

Please click here to see the response from 51m contained in the submission made to the Transport Select Committee.

The Adam Smith Institute

In October the Adam Smith Institute published its report on HS2 - High Speed Fail: Assessing the case for HS2. To read the report click on the following link -

http://www.adamsmith.org/publications/regulation-and-industry/high-speed-fail%3a-assessing-the-case-for-hs2/

The Institute of Directors

In November the Institute of Directors published the results of a survey of members relating to HS2. To read the report on the survey click on the following link - 

http://press.iod.com/2011/11/18/iod-members-unsure-about-hs2/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=iod-members-unsure-about-hs2

In January, 2012 the Centre for Economics and Business Research described the decison to go ahead with the scheme as a triumph of PR over economics. To read the Centre's comments in full click on the following link -

http://www.cebr.com/?p=752

The Environmental Facts

Sustainable development – environment, economic development and communities

Within this section you will find documents which look into the impact of HS2 on climate change, greenhouse gases, landscape, townscape, cultural heritage, wildlife, diversity, water, flooding, impacts on properties, environmental impacts on people, access to public transport, health and well-being and economies. You can find details produced by both HS2 Limited and 51m by clicking on the links below.

Please click here to see the HS2 Ltd main appraisal of sustainability reports plus appendices

Please click here to see the response from 51m to the Transport Select Committee on Environmental Impacts of HS2.

Please click here to see the response from 51m to the Transport Select Committee on Carbon Impacts of HS2.
 

Buckinghamshire Baseline Environment Audit

Buckinghamshire County Council has updated the audit work carried out by the Authority to inform the 2011 consultation into HS2. Aligning to a methodology previously used by consultants employed to uindertake research for HS1 proposals in Kent, a buffer of 1 km has been used in this assessment to provide an indication of potential impacts. For the route, a baseline environmental audit has been undertaken using accurate route and eaerth work data provided directly by High Speed Two Ltd.

To read the audit report click on the link below..

/sites/default/files/uploads/2012%20Baseline%20Environment%20Assessment.pdf