Bill for Phase 2a

[snowball]

There's not much in the Queeen's Speech but (as already noted in another subforum) it does include a promise to introduce a bill for the next phase of high speed rail. That will be phase 2a, Lichfield-Crewe.

https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/queens-speech-2017

 

[SpacePhoenix]

Will it even get as far as being debated, with the i think it is 8 bills to do with Brexit that have got to be got through?

 

[D365]

Will it even get as far as being debated, with the i think it is 8 bills to do with Brexit that have got to be got through?

Oh for christ's sake, parliament doesn't (well shouldn't) just drop the debate of all other legislation just because of this tory shambles. The whole point of this is that we need investment in our infrastructure now more than ever.

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

This is a hybrid bill, and will be shunted off to committees for the main scrutiny.
It's also not controversial as all the major parties want it.
However I see the Cheshire NIMBYs are already on the warpath (despite Phase 2a only nibbling at the county).
They do need to start the digging of Phase 1 though, as once it all gets going the degree of acceptance for the whole project will likely increase.

 

[The Planner]

Euston is closed August bank holiday for HS2, so its getting going.

 

[PR1Berske]

Will it even get as far as being debated, with the i think it is 8 bills to do with Brexit that have got to be got through?

Brexit takes priority, and with a 2 year parliament, there is no guarantee about HS2, neither stage 1 or 2.

 

[The Ham]

Brexit takes priority, and with a 2 year parliament, there is no guarantee about HS2, neither stage 1 or 2.

Most of the Brexit bills relate to enshrining into UK law stuff that is covered by EU rules. As such there's not likely to be a load of discussion unless there's changes needed to make it better (but then there's probably not a large enough group who would see that a change to vote in a change this way who wouldn't be voted down by those who want a change in the opposite direction and those that want no change)

 

[WatcherZero]

This parliamentary session will run for two years rather than the usual one as well, no Queens speech next year so there will be a 3 year gap between full state opening of Parliament and the next one since this years was cut back due to short notice.

 

[SpacePhoenix]

I wouldn't be surprised if she struggles to get the Brexit bills through Parliament

 

[Chester1]

This is a hybrid bill, and will be shunted off to committees for the main scrutiny.
It's also not controversial as all the major parties want it.
However I see the Cheshire NIMBYs are already on the warpath (despite Phase 2a only nibbling at the county).
They do need to start the digging of Phase 1 though, as once it all gets going the degree of acceptance for the whole project will likely increase.

I agree. With no legislation on health, education, welfare or policing there is plenty of time to get the hybrid bill through parliament alongside the brexit bills. Its a reasonable workload for a two year parliament and only the 8 brexit bills are controversial. Every other bill was delibrately chosen because they have cross party support.

 

[Grinner]

Brexit takes priority, and with a 2 year parliament, there is no guarantee about HS2, neither stage 1 or 2.

Stage 1 already has Royal Assent; no parliamentary time is needed for that.

In respect of Phase 2a, most commentators have generally said that, Brexit aside, this is quite a 'thin' Queen's Speech, so I'm pretty confident all items in it will be dealt with.

 

[Snapper]

Brexit takes priority, and with a 2 year parliament, there is no guarantee about HS2, neither stage 1 or 2.

Wrong. Phase 1 is already a done deal. There's no more Parliamentary time needed. There's enough Parliamentary time for the Phase 2a bill. The Govt know it'll sail through as there's no opposition to it - that's why it's in the Queen's speech!

There's also little organised opposition to 2a on the ground, so the Hybrid Bill Ctte will have it much easier too.

 

[snowball]

The Bill for HS2 Phase 2a has been introduced to Parliament:

https://www.thegazette.co.uk/notice/2826816

http://services.parliament.uk/bills/2017-19/highspeedrailwestmidlandscrewe.html

 

[snowball]

Paul Bigland (Snapper) has posted in another thread that the 2nd reading of the Bill is coming up. See his blog:

https://paulbigland.blog/2018/01/18/hs2-news-phase-2a-to-crewe-hybrid-bill-2nd-reading/

 

[snowball]

Second reading passed 295 to 12.

 

[Snapper]

I'm crossing a couple of threads here but I've now had time to analyse the result of the vote & who voted where. I've written about it in a new blog, but here's a summary. Labour effectively abstained (presumably on orders) as they knew the bill was in no danger of failing. Only 13 Lab MPs voted, many former Transport brief holders voted yes and many former Labour foes who voted no to phase 1 abstained. 7 MPs who voted no to phase 1 voted yes to phase 2a! You can read the details (and more) here; https://paulbigland.blog/2018/01/31/the-stop-hs2-campaigns-as-dead-as-a-dodo/

 

[Snapper]

I've written a new blog now that the petitions (all 188 of them) are in for Phase 2a. https://paulbigland.blog/2018/03/15/hs2-phase-2a-the-petitions-are-in/

 

[AE]

I haven't read them all but my favourite bit from the Phase 2a petitions I have read is from HS2-P2A-071-1 submitted by Madeley Independent Residents STOP HS2 Action Group who are evidently readers of this forum and quote the following thread http://www.railforums.co.uk/showthread.php?t=74515 and in particular "someone called DarloRich" who they say "seems to have technical experience".

 

[Dave_Cardboard]

I am not sure that petition will be heard. IIRC standing rules of the House are (I paraphrase) that groups setup specifically to oppose a bill do not have leave to petition it (formerly called Locus Standi, now called Right To Be Heard.) As I understand it, the logic goes roughly that a "stophs2" type group cannot claim to be directly affected by the introduction of the bill as the group itself didn't exist until the bill was announced. Still, only a few days to go and we shall see if the SOS chooses to challenge their right to be heard.

 

[Snapper]

I haven't read them all but my favourite bit from the Phase 2a petitions I have read is from HS2-P2A-071-1 submitted by Madeley Independent Residents STOP HS2 Action Group who are evidently readers of this forum and quote the following thread http://www.railforums.co.uk/showthread.php?t=74515 and in particular "someone called DarloRich" who they say "seems to have technical experience".

Yes, I thought people might find that amusing!

 

[Snapper]

I am not sure that petition will be heard. IIRC standing rules of the House are (I paraphrase) that groups setup specifically to oppose a bill do not have leave to petition it (formerly called Locus Standi, now called Right To Be Heard.) As I understand it, the logic goes roughly that a "stophs2" type group cannot claim to be directly affected by the introduction of the bill as the group itself didn't exist until the bill was announced. Still, only a few days to go and we shall see if the SOS chooses to challenge their right to be heard.

I'm half hoping this petition will be heard, it should be a real 'popcorn moment'!

 

[Dave_Cardboard]

I'm half hoping this petition will be heard, it should be a real 'popcorn moment'!

There may be some sport from it, even if it's only a "right to be heard" hearing.

 

[Snapper]

There may be some sport from it, even if it's only a "right to be heard" hearing.

I suspect if it does get heard, the Ctte will listen patiently, then move on as quickly as possible. They sat for the first time today and heard outlines of the Phase 2a route from Hs2 Ltd's Tim Mould QC and Prof McNaughton.

 

[D365]

... and in particular "someone called DarloRich" who they say "seems to have technical experience".

One of the beauties of this new forum software is that it is now possible to notify people by tagging them like one would on facebook.

@DarloRich, over to you

 

[Dave_Cardboard]

An Additional Provision for the phase2a bill has been tabled.

https://www.gov.uk/government/colle...-additional-provision-environmental-statement

 

[Snapper]

An Additional Provision for the phase2a bill has been tabled.

https://www.gov.uk/government/colle...-additional-provision-environmental-statement

That this was coming was announced at the first Meeting of the Phase 2a Ctte earlier in the week. It's interesting to see that a lot of the AP is to do with the installation of slab track (which extends construction times and requires more equipment, such as gantry cranes).

 

[backontrack]

I haven't read them all but my favourite bit from the Phase 2a petitions I have read is from HS2-P2A-071-1 submitted by Madeley Independent Residents STOP HS2 Action Group who are evidently readers of this forum and quote the following thread http://www.railforums.co.uk/showthread.php?t=74515 and in particular "someone called DarloRich" who they say "seems to have technical experience".

That's fantastic! @DarloRich

 

[DarloRich]

Christ on a bike! Will have to change my user name ( insert blush icon here!)

 

[6Gman]

Yes, I thought people might find that amusing!

Apparently we are all going to die from leprosy because it affects red squirrels and they're digging up an ancient cemetery.

(HS2, not the squirrels)

 

[snowball]

Just discovered that the Select Committee published an interim report last month:

https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201719/cmselect/cmhs2/1085/108502.htm

Here is HS2 Ltd's response, published today:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publi...s-response-to-select-committee-interim-report

This DfT press release has also come out today:

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/...es-and-woodlands-between-birmingham-and-crewe