Two new HS2 directors will ‘robustly grip costs’?Minister

Transport secretary Mark Harper has appointed Keith Smithson and Joanna Davinson as new non-executive directors of HS2 Ltd. The Department for Transport said Keith and Joanna will work alongside HS2 Ltd’s chair Sir Jonathan Thompson, to ‘provide oversight and accountability’ and ‘ensuring costs are controlled’ and the project completed ‘in the most effective way for taxpayers’. HS2 continues to be the focus of speculation about the future of London Euston as the city centre terminus. Work on the site has been paused for two years while the costs of building onwards from Old Oak Common are reviewed.