Aviation Strategy

Written evidence from Marilyn Fletcher B.Sc.Ph.D. (AS 37)

2c) HS2’s Access to Britain’s Hub Airport

1. The Secretary of State appears to have concerns over how HS2 is connected to Heathrow. On 29 September 2012 the Telegraph newspaper reported Mr McLoughlin saying that HS2 may have to be "adapted" depending on what Sir Howard Davies, the economist leading the Government’s airport commission, recommends about Heathrow.

2. Sir Howard’s full report is due in 2015. [1] According to the newspaper, aides acting for the Secretary of State made it clear that the route could be redirected towards Heathrow if Sir Howard recommends expanding the airport. [2]

3. How has HS2 been allowed to get so far without any decision on Britain’s hub airport?

How has the Government allowed itself to commit £750 million of public money in this Parliament on laying down a route for HS2 before it decides on the location for the hub airport?

19 October 2012