Thank you for contacting me about HS2.
The Government believes that HS2 is a vital project for the UK. It believes it is a necessary means to provide the capacity we need between London, Birmingham and Manchester by trebling the number of seats into London Euston in the peak, with up to 18 trains an hour running in each direction.
I am assured that the Department for Transport did assess the potential alternatives to HS2. The study concluded that the alternatives did not provide sufficient additional capacity to meet long term needs and failed to provide the same level of connectivity benefits.
I recognise the concerns regarding HS2 but I also recognise the importance of bolstering our major conurbations in the North and Midlands: doing so will help relieve some of the huge pressure for development that is currently focussed on the south of England, including locally.
Thank you again for taking the time to contact me.
