29
Conclusion
Seventeenth Report- HS2 Summer 2021
Not Addressed
In May 2021, the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman published a report that found that HS2 Ltd had misled and failed to communicate promptly and effectively with a family whose home was being purchased to make way for the railway.68 HS2 Ltd told us that although it had not accepted …
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In May 2021, the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman published a report that found that HS2 Ltd had misled and failed to communicate promptly and effectively with a family whose home was being purchased to make way for the railway.68 HS2 Ltd told us that although it had not accepted all the findings in the report, it had acknowledged and accepted the recommendations, and made good progress in its engagement with communities affected by the programme since.69 HS2 Ltd accepted that the report “shone a light on some failings of the company several years ago” but that it had learned from this and its local interaction was much better for it. It explained that it had spent nearly £100 million on local community projects and invested in around 161 local communities and business project. HS2 Ltd asserted, however, there would be limited value in assessing the costs and benefits of activity to mitigate complaints. HS2 Ltd told us that it was focused on working closely with contractors to ensure that disruption to communities was minimised, and that it behaved as a good neighbour. It also said it was working with local MPs and the supply chain on improving the availability of information about disruption to communities caused by the programme.70
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Government response AI summary
The government's response addressed a separate recommendation (labelled '6') regarding community engagement and environmental issues, stating they had written to the Committee and significant improvements have been made, rather than directly engaging with conclusion #29's specific observations about HS2 Ltd's past communication failures and current …
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HM Treasury
30
Conclusion
Seventeenth Report- HS2 Summer 2021
Not Addressed
HS2 Ltd told us that there had already been significant activity from environmental protests at various sites along the Phase One route. Most notably, protesters tunnelled beneath land owned by HS2 Ltd at Euston. HS2 Ltd told us that this disruption had cost it in the region of £75 million …
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HS2 Ltd told us that there had already been significant activity from environmental protests at various sites along the Phase One route. Most notably, protesters tunnelled beneath land owned by HS2 Ltd at Euston. HS2 Ltd told us that this disruption had cost it in the region of £75 million so far and had an impact on the programme. It recognised that those living on the HS2 route did not choose to live alongside the work, and that they had “every right” to peaceful protest but told us that it was concerned by protests becoming increasingly violent and disruptive. It explained that there had been around 300 arrests and nine prosecutions as a result of protests. HS2 Ltd told us that it and its contractors were not really geared up to manage the level of protests that had occurred so far, and that it would other support from Government to ensure that it is addressed.71 67 Oral evidence: HS2 recall – pre panel, HC 178, Qq 24, 33 68 Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman, An investigation into HS2 Ltd’s failure to communicate with a family about acquiring their home, HC 211, 26 May 2021 69 Qq 105, 108; Correspondence from Mark Thurston, Chief Executive Officer, HS2 Ltd to the Committee, Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman report, 29 May 2021 70 Qq 104, 108 71 Q 3 20 HS2 Summer 2021
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Government response AI summary
The government's response addressed a separate recommendation on community engagement and environmental issues, stating steps taken and improvements, rather than directly engaging with conclusion #30's specific observations about protest costs and HS2 Ltd needing more government support to manage them.
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HM Treasury