Don't want to get political but unavoidable really. Now that Parliament has been suspended or whatever, will/how will this affect the timing of HS2 review and discussion by parliament - or can it continue with parliament suspended?
I don't think Parliament is important in this context, until another HS2 Bill reaches them for consideration.
They have already voted for Phase 1, and the Phase 2a bill will be next year sometime (if it survives the review).
The DfT is still at work (if it can spare time from Brexit issues), and select committees will still sit, take evidence and issue reports, I think.
I shouldn't think the West Coast award will be affected (it's just about time to sign the contract with First, assuming no legal challenge).
Williams can continue - parliament will be important only when Grant Shapps makes his proposals public next year sometime, and needs a new Railways Bill enacted.
Modern Railways (Sept) was musing that something non-revolutionary could probably be implemented without primary legislation anyway.
An election in the autumn would set the cat among the pigeons though (if Boris lost, that is).
One problem the railway has is that is cannot possibly change things as fast as the politicians are moving at the moment.
Looks like a series of mini-budgets is on the way.