Andrew Stephenson replaced Paul Maynard in reshuffle at transport ministry
Former construction minister Andrew Stephenson has been made the minister responsible for HS2.
Stephenson (pictured) was appointed transport minister in last week’s reshuffle. He is now responsible for overseeing HS2 as well as Northern Powerhouse Rail and the TransPennine route upgrade.
The MP for Pendle in Lancashire said he was delighted to be given the new role, adding: “[It’s] essential we keep a firm grip on these vital projects.”
Delighted to be given responsibility for overseeing #HS2 and #NPR; essential we keep a firm grip on these vital projects working with @HS2ltd and partners across Midlands and North so we can deliver vital connections, spread prosperity and level up this country.
— Andrew Stephenson MP (@Andrew4Pendle) February 19, 2020
Johnson gave the go-ahead for the rail project last week, despite alarm over a potential £106bn price tag and major splits within the Conservative party.
In an interview on the Andrew Marr show on Sunday, transport secretary Grant Shapps said “I don’t think HS2 has been a well-run project up until this point. I don’t think the HS2 Ltd leadership has been good enough.”
He added: “We will absolutely be gripping this project now, day in day out.”
Stephenson replaced Paul Maynard at the transport ministry last week. He had been in post since Boris Johnson became prime minister in July last year.
Maynard’s responsibilities also included Crossrail, Crossrail 2 and East West rail, which have now been transferred to another transport minister, Chris Heaton-Harris.
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