High Speed Rail - PWC International Benchmarking Study Nov 2016, Cost & speed

Waiting for an internal review by High Speed Two (HS2) Limited of their handling of this request.

Dear HS2 Ltd

Footnote 18 on page 35 of the PWC report, dated November 2016 states:-

"Since the completion of this study, HS2 Ltd has assessed the impact of different speeds on capital cost, and concluded that the cost of building the Phase One consulted route designed for 200kph would be 9% lower than the cost of a route designed to 360kph."

The report states that the study was completed in 2015. It was released in November 2018.

1. Did the Chancellor of the Exchequer or the Secretary of State for Transport ask HS2 Ltd to assess the impact of speed on building costs or was it initiated by HS2 Ltd?

2. When was the assessment of different speeds on costs started and finished?
Please provide full details of the assessment that was carried out including the methodology, range of speeds examined, assumptions and data used to derive the 9% figure.

3. What assessment, if any, was made by HS2 Ltd regarding the saving in operation & maintenance costs achievable through lower speeds?

4. What assessment, if any, was made by HS2 Ltd regarding the saving in train procurement costs achievable through lower speeds?

Yours faithfully

J Marriott

HS2Enquiries, High Speed Two (HS2) Limited

Thank you for your email which will be dealt with by a member of the HS2
Helpdesk team who will provide a response as soon as possible*. If your
enquiry is urgent and requires immediate attention please contact the 24
hour HS2 Helpdesk line directly on our Freephone number 08081 434 434.

 

Please note that the HS2 Helpdesk is not able to access  emails from 10pm
until 7am on weekdays and from 5pm until 9am on weekends and bank holidays
so all urgent enquiries should be directed to the 24 hour HS2 Helpdesk
line number as above.

 

*In accordance with our community commitments, we will respond to
questions and complaints quickly and efficiently, with an acknowledgement
within 2 working days, and responding within 20 working days if we cannot
answer the query straight away.

This email is scanned and cleared by Websense. HS2 Ltd is registered in
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Registered office High Speed Two (HS2) Limited, Two Snowhill, Snow Hill
Queensway, Birmingham, B4 6GA, England. The information contained in this
e-mail is confidential and may also be subject to legal privilege. It is
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HS2 FOI, High Speed Two (HS2) Limited

Dear J Marriott,

 

Thank you for your email to HS2 Ltd. We are considering your request under
the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and aim to reply as soon as possible
and no later than 24 December.

 

And please accept my apologies for the delay in sending this
acknowledgement.

 

Your reference number for the request is FOI18-2201.

 

Kind regards,

 

Alistair.

 

Alistair Hobbs | Briefings, Correspondence and FOI Adviser | HS2 Ltd      

Tel: 08081 434 434 (Freephone number)| [1][email address]|
[2]Facebook | [3]Twitter | [4]LinkedIn

High Speed Two (HS2) Limited , Two Snowhill, Snow Hill Queensway,
Birmingham, B4 6GA  | [5]www.gov.uk/hs2

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Alistair Hobbs, High Speed Two (HS2) Limited

Dear J Marriott

FOI18-2201 – Extension of time required

I am writing to advise you that the time limit for responding to your
request for information under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) 2000
dated and received on 24 November needs to be extended.

Under Section 10(3) of the FOIA – please see
[1]https://ico.org.uk/media/for-organisatio...
for the full wording - there is provision for an authority to claim a
reasonable extension to this limit, up to an additional 20 working days,
where it needs more time to consider the public interest test.

We will send a response by 23 January 2019.

If the information is available prior to this we will of course respond
sooner.

If you are unhappy with the way the HS2 Ltd has handled your request or
with the decisions made in relation to your request you may complain
within 40 working days of the date of this letter by writing to the HS2
Ltd’s Freedom of Information team via email at [2][email address]
or by post at High Speed Two (HS2) Limited, Two Snowhill, Snow Hill
Queensway, Birmingham B4 6GA.

Please see below details of HS2 Ltd’s complaints procedure and your right
to complain to the Information Commissioner. If you have any queries about
this letter, please contact me.

Please remember to quote reference number FOI18-2201 in any future
communication relating to this request.

Yours sincerely

Alistair

Alistair Hobbs | Briefings, Correspondence and FOI Adviser | HS2 Ltd      

Tel: 08081 434 434 (Freephone number)| [3][email address]|
[4]Facebook | [5]Twitter | [6]LinkedIn

High Speed Two (HS2) Limited , Two Snowhill, Snow Hill Queensway,
Birmingham, B4 6GA  | [7]www.gov.uk/hs2

 

Your right to complain to HS2 Ltd and the Information Commissioner

 

You have the right to complain to HS2 Ltd within two calendar months of
the date of this letter about the way in which your request for
information was handled and/or about the decision not to disclose all or
part of the information requested.

 

Your complaint will be acknowledged and you will be advised of a target
date by which to expect a response. Initially your complaint will be
re-considered by the official who dealt with your request for information.
If, after careful consideration, that official decides that his/her
decision was correct, your complaint will automatically be referred to a
senior independent official who will conduct a further review. You will be
advised of the outcome of your complaint and if a decision is taken to
disclose information originally withheld this will be done as soon as
possible.

 

If you are not content with the outcome of the internal review, you have
the right to apply directly to the Information Commissioner for a
decision. The Information Commissioner can be contacted at:

 

Information Commissioner’s Office

Wycliffe House

Water Lane

Wilmslow

Cheshire

SK9 5AF

 

This email is scanned and cleared by Websense. HS2 Ltd is registered in
England and Wales. Registration Number 06791686, Registered office
Registered office High Speed Two (HS2) Limited, Two Snowhill, Snow Hill
Queensway, Birmingham, B4 6GA, England. The information contained in this
e-mail is confidential and may also be subject to legal privilege. It is
intended only for the recipient(s) named above. If you are not named above
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message and any attachments without retaining any copies.

References

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2. mailto:[email address]
3. mailto:[email address]
4. http://www.facebook.com/HS2ltd
5. http://www.twitter.com/hs2ltd
6. http://www.linkedin.com/company/high-spe...
7. http://www.gov.uk/hs2

HS2Enquiries, High Speed Two (HS2) Limited

1 Attachment

Dear J Marriott,

Please find attached the response to your recent Freedom of Information
request.

Kind regards,

Alistair.

Alistair Hobbs | Briefings, Correspondence and FOI Adviser | HS2 Ltd      

Tel: 08081 434 434 (Freephone number)| [1][email address]|
[2]Facebook | [3]Twitter | [4]LinkedIn

High Speed Two (HS2) Limited , Two Snowhill, Snow Hill Queensway,
Birmingham, B4 6GA  | [5]www.gov.uk/hs2

 

This email is scanned and cleared by Websense. HS2 Ltd is registered in
England and Wales. Registration Number 06791686, Registered office High
Speed Two (HS2) Limited, Two Snowhill, Snow Hill Queensway, Birmingham, B4
6GA, England. The information contained in this e-mail is confidential and
may also be subject to legal privilege. It is intended only for the
recipient(s) named above. If you are not named above as a recipient, you
must not read, copy, disclose, forward or otherwise use the information
contained in this email. If you have received this e-mail in error, please
notify the sender (whose contact details are within the original email)
immediately by reply e-mail and delete the message and any attachments
without retaining any copies.

References

Visible links
1. mailto:[email address]
2. http://www.facebook.com/HS2ltd
3. http://www.twitter.com/hs2ltd
4. http://www.linkedin.com/company/high-spe...
5. http://www.gov.uk/hs2

Dear HS2Enquiries,

FOI18-2201 PWC Benchmarking Study

I am seeking clarification regarding your response dated 24th January 2019

Re Answers 1 and 2
The only reference in the PWC report to the cost / speed difference is in the footnote on page 35 where it states that HS2 Ltd assessed the impact. It does not mention 'Periodic Review'.

Who initiated the HS2 Review that was referred to in the footnote?
When was this initiated and completed?
Please provide a copy of that review, and any othe documents used in its preparation, which show the analysis and assumptions underpinning the 9% figure.
Who carried out the Periodic Review?
Please provide a copy of the Periodic Review.

Re Answers 3 and 4
Please provide a copy of the rolling stock report that assessed the savings in operation & maintenance.
Why did the report only consider speeds down to 300km/h?

Yours sincerely,

J Marriott

HS2Enquiries, High Speed Two (HS2) Limited

Good afternoon

 

Thank you for your email which has been forwarded to FOI.

 

Regards

 

Simone Wright |Senior Helpdesk Advisor – | HS2 Ltd 

Tel: 0808 143 4434 | [1][email address] | [2]Facebook | [3]Twitter
| [4]LinkedIn

High Speed Two (HS2) Limited, Two Snowhill, Snow Hill Queensway,
Birmingham, B4 6GA | [5]www.gov.uk/hs2

This email is scanned and cleared by Websense. HS2 Ltd is registered in

England and Wales. Registration Number 06791686, Registered office High

Speed Two (HS2) Ltd, 2 Snowhill, Queensway, Birmingham, B4 6GA,

England. The information contained in this e-mail is confidential and

may also be subject to legal privilege. It is intended only for the

recipient(s) named above. If you are not named above as a recipient,

you must not read, copy, disclose, forward or otherwise use the

information contained in this email. If you have received this e-mail

in error, please notify the sender (whose contact details are within

the original email) immediately by reply e-mail and delete the message

and any attachments without retaining any copies

 

 

 

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HS2Enquiries, High Speed Two (HS2) Limited

Dear J Marriott

 

Thank you for your email to HS2 Ltd. We are considering your request under
the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and aim to reply as soon as possible
and no later than 07 March.

 

Your reference number for the request is FOI19-3088.

 

Kind regards,

 

Alistair.

 

Alistair Hobbs | Briefings, Correspondence and FOI Adviser | HS2 Ltd      

Tel: 08081 434 434 (Freephone number)| [1][email address]|
[2]Facebook | [3]Twitter | [4]LinkedIn

High Speed Two (HS2) Limited , Two Snowhill, Snow Hill Queensway,
Birmingham, B4 6GA  | [5]www.gov.uk/hs2

 

 

 

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HS2Enquiries, High Speed Two (HS2) Limited

1 Attachment

Dear J Marriott

With my apologies for the delay in responding, please find attached the
response to your recent Freedom of Information request.

Kind regards,

Alistair.

Alistair Hobbs | Briefings, Correspondence and FOI Adviser | HS2 Ltd      

Tel: 08081 434 434 (Freephone number)| [1][email address]|
[2]Facebook | [3]Twitter | [4]LinkedIn

High Speed Two (HS2) Limited , Two Snowhill, Snow Hill Queensway,
Birmingham, B4 6GA  | [5]www.gov.uk/hs2

 

This email is scanned and cleared by Websense. HS2 Ltd is registered in
England and Wales. Registration Number 06791686, Registered office High
Speed Two (HS2) Limited, Two Snowhill, Snow Hill Queensway, Birmingham, B4
6GA, England. The information contained in this e-mail is confidential and
may also be subject to legal privilege. It is intended only for the
recipient(s) named above. If you are not named above as a recipient, you
must not read, copy, disclose, forward or otherwise use the information
contained in this email. If you have received this e-mail in error, please
notify the sender (whose contact details are within the original email)
immediately by reply e-mail and delete the message and any attachments
without retaining any copies.

References

Visible links
1. mailto:[email address]
2. http://www.facebook.com/HS2ltd
3. http://www.twitter.com/hs2ltd
4. http://www.linkedin.com/company/high-spe...
5. http://www.gov.uk/hs2

Dear High Speed Two (HS2) Limited,

Please pass this on to the person who conducts Freedom of Information reviews.

I am writing to request an internal review of High Speed Two (HS2) Limited's handling of my FOI request 'High Speed Rail - PWC International Benchmarking Study Nov 2016, Cost & speed'.

My original request was submitted on 24 November 2018 and I got an acknowledgement by return. On 10 December 2018 I received an interim response which said I would get a reply by 24 December 2018. A fairly hopeless response (Response 1) was eventually received on 24 January 2019.

I subsequently queried some strange statements made in Response 1 on 7 February. On 8 February you sent me a holding response saying you aimed to reply by 7 March. I eventually received a reply on 21 May (Response 2) saying that you had no information on all the points raised, including those mentioned in Response 1.

It has taken nearly six months to date to say you have no information which suggests that responding to the questions was not straightforward. Indeed, Response 2 includes "v3" in the filename which suggests it might be the 3rd version. The claim that there is no information is clearly impossible since it in part relates to Response 1 and to statements made in the PWC report and in other statements made by HS2.

As part of your review can you please provide all internal correspondence, emails and any draft replies concerning this matter.

A full history of my FOI request and all correspondence is available on the Internet at this address: https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/h...

Yours faithfully,

J Marriott

HS2Enquiries, High Speed Two (HS2) Limited



Thank you for your email to the HS2 Helpdesk.

 

In keeping with our community engagement commitments we will respond to
enquiries quickly and efficiently, with an acknowledgement within 2
working days, and responding within 20 working days if we are unable to
answer the query straight away.

 

If your enquiry is urgent and requires immediate attention please contact
the 24 hour HS2 Helpdesk directly on our freephone number 08081 434 434.

 

There is a range of information available about HS2 online at
[1]https://www.hs2.org.uk/

If you would like information about what is happening in relation to HS2
in your area you may also like to browse the following link
[2]https://www.hs2.org.uk/in-your-area/what...

 

We look forward to assisting you as soon as we can.

 

This email is scanned and cleared by Websense. HS2 Ltd is registered in
England and Wales. Registration Number 06791686, Registered office High
Speed Two (HS2) Limited, Two Snowhill, Snow Hill Queensway, Birmingham, B4
6GA, England. The information contained in this e-mail is confidential and
may also be subject to legal privilege. It is intended only for the
recipient(s) named above. If you are not named above as a recipient, you
must not read, copy, disclose, forward or otherwise use the information
contained in this email. If you have received this e-mail in error, please
notify the sender (whose contact details are within the original email)
immediately by reply e-mail and delete the message and any attachments
without retaining any copies.

References

Visible links
1. https://www.hs2.org.uk/
2. https://www.hs2.org.uk/in-your-area/what...

HS2Enquiries, High Speed Two (HS2) Limited

Dear J Marriott,

 

Thank you for your email to HS2 Ltd. 

 

We are considering your request for Internal Review and aim to reply as
soon as possible and no later than 20 June 2019.

 

Your reference number for the request is FOI-19-3088-R.

 

Yours sincerely

 

J Palmer | Briefings, Correspondence and FOI Adviser | HS2 Ltd      

Tel: 08081 434 434 (Freephone number)| [1][email address]|
[2]Facebook | [3]Twitter | [4]LinkedIn

High Speed Two (HS2) Limited , The Podium, 1 Eversholt Street, Lonodon,
NW1 2DN | [5]www.gov.uk/hs2

 

------------------- Original Message

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HS2Enquiries, High Speed Two (HS2) Limited

Dear J Marriott,

 

Thank you for your email to HS2 Ltd to provide all internal
correspondence, emails and any draft replies concerning FOI-19-3088.

 

We are considering your request under the Freedom of Information Act 2000
and aim to reply as soon as possible and no later than 20 June 2019.

 

Your reference number for the request is FOI-19-3246.

 

Yours sincerely,

 

J Palmer | Briefings, Correspondence and FOI Adviser | HS2 Ltd      

Tel: 08081 434 434 (Freephone number)| [1][email address]|
[2]Facebook | [3]Twitter | [4]LinkedIn

High Speed Two (HS2) Limited , The Podium, 1 Eversholt Street, Lonodon,
NW1 2DN | [5]www.gov.uk/hs2

 

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HS2Enquiries, High Speed Two (HS2) Limited

1 Attachment

Dear J Marriott,

 

Thank you for your email to HS2 Ltd.

 

Please find attached an Extension of Time letter which I trust will prove
self-explanatory.

 

Your reference number for the request is FOI-19-3246.

 

Yours sincerely,

 

J Palmer | Briefings, Correspondence and FOI Adviser | HS2 Ltd      

Tel: 08081 434 434 (Freephone number)| [1][email address]|
[2]Facebook | [3]Twitter | [4]LinkedIn

High Speed Two (HS2) Limited , The Podium, 1 Eversholt Street, Lonodon,
NW1 2DN | [5]www.gov.uk/hs2

 

 

From: Jeanine Palmer On Behalf Of HS2Enquiries
Sent: 23 May 2019 18:15
To: [FOI #534905 email]
Subject: FOI-19-3246 - ACKNOWLEDGEMENT - Documents related to FOI-19-3088
- PWC International Benchmarking Study Nov 2016
Importance: High

 

Dear J Marriott,

 

Thank you for your email to HS2 Ltd to provide all internal
correspondence, emails and any draft replies concerning FOI-19-3088.

 

We are considering your request under the Freedom of Information Act 2000
and aim to reply as soon as possible and no later than 20 June 2019.

 

Your reference number for the request is FOI-19-3246.

 

Yours sincerely,

 

J Palmer | Briefings, Correspondence and FOI Adviser | HS2 Ltd      

Tel: 08081 434 434 (Freephone number)| [6][email address]|
[7]Facebook | [8]Twitter | [9]LinkedIn

High Speed Two (HS2) Limited , The Podium, 1 Eversholt Street, Lonodon,
NW1 2DN | [10]www.gov.uk/hs2

 

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J Marriott left an annotation ()

HS2 asked for an extension of time in June 2019. It is now June 2020 and it has not responded