The new chair of HS2 Ltd has said that the project is more expensive than equivalent schemes in other European countries because ‘we are building HS2 responsibly’.
Writing in the Telegraph, Sir Jonathan Thompson defended the high speed rail line against criticism in the paper that it had ‘made Britain a global laughing stock’.
He said it was more expensive per mile than high-speed rail in Spain 'because unlike in Spain, HS2 will deliver people direct to the heart of city centres in some of the most expensive land and property areas in the world’.
He added it was more expensive per mile than in France ‘because we choose tunnelling over the demolition of whole communities and swathes of countryside to protect people, wildlife and our precious green spaces’.
Although environmentalists have argued the fugures for HS2 still look troubling. Earlier this week, a report from The Wildlife Trusts argued that HS2 Ltd's accounting tool for assessing impacts on nature is 'untested, out of date and fundamentally flawed'.
The group said its calculations show that there will be at least 17% 'less nature' after construction of Phase 1 than before building started, compared to HS2 Ltd’s claim of a 2.6 % nature loss, and at least 42% less nature after construction of for Phase 2a, compared to HS2 Ltd’s figures showinga 17.01% nature loss.
Sir Jonathan was previously the deputy chair of HS2. His appointment brings to an end a lengthy search for a replacement for former chair Allan Cook, who left the role in summer 2021.
The post was first advertised in April 2021 at an annual salary of £200,000 for three days a week. In March 2022, this was now reduced to two days – at the same salary.
The Department for Transport said that Sir Jonathan ‘brings decades of experience delivering major projects and world-class leadership having previously served as the permanent secretary at both the Ministry of Defence and HM Revenue and Customs'.
Transport secretary Mark Harper said: ‘I am delighted to appoint Sir Jonathan as chair, and with his breadth of experience I have no doubt he will be successful in delivering our shared goals of increasing capacity on our rail network, levelling up our country and driving economic growth for generations to come.’
Sir Jonathan said: ‘During my time on the board, this monumental project has already achieved some incredible milestones and I’ve seen first-hand how it will transform not only journeys but the lives of people across the country.’
Elaine Holt, an existing non-executive director of HS2 Ltd, was appointed to replace Sir Jonathan as deputy chair.
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