VerbatimParliament, as it happens

High Speed 2 Line

Asked by Mr Richard HoldenConservativeDepartment for TransportTabled Answered 20 November 2025UIN 89642

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 31 October 2025 to Question 84310 on High Speed 2 Line, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of the four-year deferral of work on the Handsacre link on (a) journey times and (b) the economy during the initial operating period of HS2.

Answered by Keir Mather

The deferral of work at Handsacre is not expected to have any impact on journey times once the delivery of HS2 is complete.

The economic benefits of the government's delivery plans for HS2 will be considered as part of the updated business case being developed in line with the work on the programme reset.

Verbatim has judged this answer against the question that was actually asked — answered, partly answered, or evaded. Sign in to see the verdict →

Open this question in Verbatim →

Every written question, searchable

155,000 questions tabled since the election, with the answer each department gave — and the ones still unanswered, with the clock running. Free to search.

Search written questions →Read on Verbatim