Minister has ‘gut feeling’ HS2 will go ahead

A GOVERNMENT minister says he has a ‘gut feeling’ that HS2 will go ahead. Brexit secretary Stephen Barclay told the BBC that the project was essential because it would ‘level up’ the transport network in Britain. Meanwhile, speculation is growing that the Government is poised to publish the Oakervee Review into HS2, possibly some time this week. This review is thought to give the project the green light, in spite of rising costs which could reach £106 billion.

Passenger survey accuracy under fire

THE twice-yearly survey into passengers’ opinions of railway services is due to be published by Transport Focus shortly, but the accuracy of the exercise has been criticised by the Office of Rail and Road. The ORR says the survey is ‘not yet fit to be designated as an official national statistic’, because there is a ‘substantial risk’ that the data could be misinterpreted and misused. Transport Focus had asked the ORR to evaluate the survey and said it welcomes the report, ‘which acknowledges our efforts to continuously improve and innovate’.