Issue - meetings

-       5:05pm HS2 update

The Forum considered the Scrutiny recommendations implementation monitoring schedule.

The Leader of the Council provided a monitoring update regarding HS2. The Forum was informed that there had been some misunderstandings in the press and HS2 had not been cancelled but the HS2 tracks would only go as far as the East Midlands Parkway. HS2 trains would then travel from the Parkway to Chesterfield on Victorian tracks. Electrification of the Midlands Mainline was due to start in January but this had been promised twice before.

The Leader emphasised that the Derbyshire Rail Industry Innovation Vehicle (DRIIVe) at Barrow Hill was still required to train people to support the increase in rail innovation.

Lobbying was continuing along with work on alternative plans.

Members noted the disappointing news, agreed with the need to deliver DRIIVe at Barrow Hill and thanked the Leader for the update.

Members enquired how long it may take to revise and deliver the alternative plans; the Leader explained that it was difficult to tell how long because there remained outstanding responses from the Government but as much pressure as possible was being applied across the East Midlands.

RESOLVED –

1.   That a further monitoring update from the Leader about HS2 be scheduled for the second half of the 2022/23 scrutiny work programme. 

2.   That the Scrutiny monitoring schedule be noted.