Victoria Prentis MP was delighted to welcome the recent Government announcement about an independent review into HS2, conducted by Douglas Oakervee. The project has been shown to be significantly over budget and behind schedule with the full line opening as late as 2040 at a potential cost of £88 billion.

Victoria has this week written to the Chief Executive of HS2 Ltd, Mark Thurston, calling for him to halt all enabling works in her constituency of North Oxfordshire.

While she has been consistent in her opposition to HS2, in light of the changes, Victoria believes any possible claim to a business case has now collapsed. It is hoped that Mark Thurston will realise that pausing ongoing work is necessary while the review is conducted.

As part of the Oakervee Review Victoria will be submitting evidence, highlighting her constituent’s concerns and to detail why the project should be cancelled.