HS2 Luncheon

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HS2 Luncheon

We recently attended the HS2 Luncheon at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Birmingham hosted by Rail Media. The luncheon was very well attended by many organisations across the rail sector to hear Professor Andrew McNaughton. We wanted to attend for three main reasons:-

  1. To hear firsthand the latest news and views from Professor Andrew McNaughton, Andrew Shepherd (Parsons Brinkerhoff) and Stephen Leo (HS2 Ltd) on this iconic project.
  1. Introduce a new business contact Ian Hughes (BD Director) from IHM Media to the world of HS2 and potential social media opportunities. IHM offer a service new to myself to track and collate all social media activity around a particular subject or project. This service does not follow the formal routes of social media activity but captures all activity to give you a unique collection, allowing you to be aware of all feedback on your chosen subject and react accordingly.
  1. It was also great to meet with old friends and establish new contacts within the industry – you never know when you can help each other.

There were many key messages reiterated and updates provided on the current progress through parliament, providing an invaluable insight into HS2.

  • Birmingham is to be the Heart of HS2; managed and operated from the control centre with HS2 at Snow Hill; national academy based in Birmingham.
  • 97% Contractors based in the UK.
  • HS2 will connect the top 8 cities in the UK, enabling growth which will enhance cities economically, improving regional capacity.
  • Parliament voted 451 YES & 41 NO.
  • Young people will grow with HS2.
  • HS2 will release capacity for passengers and freight.
  • HS2 will change the face of rail travel for everyone.
  • Huge stations; 1100 people per train; 18 trains per hour; 400m long trains.
  • “Street to Seat” technology.
  • Reduced journey times will “give you your life back”.

“Nothing great was ever achieved without passion.”