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MPs from the Transport Committee and the Public Accounts Committee will travel to Birmingham to learn more about the impact of the High Speed Two project on the West Midlands.

• Inquiry: HS2: progress update
• Transport Committee

The Transport Committee will hold an oral evidence session with the recently re-elected Mayor of the West Midlands, Andy Street and HS2 Chief Executive, Mark Thurston. The session will be livestreamed on the House of Commons YouTube channel. Likely topics of discussion include the construction of HS2; the environment and economic impact on the West Midlands; and the effect on local development. During the visit, MPs will meet privately with representatives from local business.

The evidence session continues the Transport Committee’s commitment to review the progress of the line every six months. In January, the Committee heard from the Independent Residents’ Commissioner on HS2, the Woodland Trust and a local parish council in Buckinghamshire about the impact on residents and communities.

High Speed Two Phase 1 will create a new high-speed rail link between London and Birmingham by approximately 2029. A high-speed link will also be provided to the existing west coast mainline just north of Lichfield in Staffordshire, which will provide services to the North West of England and Scotland in advance of later phases. Four stations will be included on the route: London Euston and Birmingham Curzon Street with interchange stations at Old Oak Common and Birmingham Interchange.

The Chair of the Transport Committee, Huw Merriman MP, recently said:

“When we committed to reviewing the progress of High Speed Two in six monthly accountability sessions, we were keen to travel the line of route and hear from different communities. The pandemic prevented us from getting out and about but we have heard from local communities, most recently in Buckinghamshire. This time, with covid-19 restrictions beginning to lift, we are looking forward to getting to Birmingham for the latest update and hearing specifically from business and local development.”

The Transport Chair will be joined by Committee Members: Ruth Cadbury, Simon Jupp, Robert Largan, Karl McCartney, Grahame Morris, Gavin Newlands and Greg Smith.

The Public Accounts Committee has also been tracking the development and delivery of the project. Two members from the Public Accounts Committee will join the visit: Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown MP (The Cotswolds) and Shaun Bailey MP (West Bromwich West).

Further information

• About Parliament: Select committees
• Visiting Parliament: Watch committees