Further to my letter to HS2 Ltd setting out concerns that changes may be being considered to the project to ensure that it remains on time and on budget, I have received a response from the Chief Executive Mark Thurston.

You can read a copy of that response here.

I know that constituents are alarmed to learn that recently reported cost overruns may mean that the speed of the trains has to be reduced, the number of trains per hour pared back, and the configuration of the track altered. This may have a substantial impact on the business case for the project, and I will be writing to Mr Thurston to ask him to provide me with an update on any preparatory work HS2 Ltd is undertaking to bring forward such changes, and what impact they project the changes may have on the business case.