National Infrastructure Commission chief on joining during lockdown: ‘I look forward to being able to hold an all staff meeting in person’
2020 was a year unlike any other, with the coronavirus pandemic upending the work of government and changing how we live our daily lives. Senior figures from across the civil service tell us how the unprecedented 12 months affected them, and look ahead to 2021
Work analysing rail schemes in the North and Midlands was a 2020 highlight for James Heath. Photo: PA
What are you proudest of the NIC achieving in 2020?
First, government’s publication in November of a National Infrastructure Strategy firmly based on our independent recommendations was a major milestone for the commission, placing us at the heart of longer term policy making. Second, our work analysing rail schemes in the North and Midlands has been arguably the most complex study the Commission has undertaken since we were established. We published this just before Christmas to i
Summary
The National Infrastructure Commission has now published its Rail Needs Assessment for the Midlands and the North. With the HS2 Phase 2a Bill nearing completion of its passage through Parliament, this blog considers the future of the Western and Eastern legs of HS2 Phase 2b in the light of the NIC’s Assessment.
On Monday 14
th December the House of Lords completed its consideration of the High Speed (West Midlands – Crewe) Bill, the Phase 2a Bill. The House of Commons will now consider the amendments to the Bill made in the Lords and if it disagrees with any of them there will be final ‘ping-pong’ between the Houses and the Bill will then receive Royal Assent. Phase 2a is the relatively uncontentious part of Phase 2, to continue the railway authorised by the High Speed (London - West Midlands) Act northwards to Crewe.
By Jordan Marshall2020-12-15T12:11:00+00:00
Branch to Manchester recommended to be developed
The National Infrastructure Commission has recommended downgrading the eastern route of HS2, giving it a lower priority than other projects.
The independent advisory body suggested the government should push ahead with the western side of the railway into Manchester, but delay completing the eastern side to Leeds.
Speaking today as he unveiled an NIC report chair Sir John Armitt said while it recommended a long-term phased approach to the eastern arm of the northern part of HS2 - it did call for faster progress on the section from Birmingham to East Midlands Parkway.