Association for Project Management (APM) responds to today’s announcement from Government about HS2:

“We support the need for a credible long-term programme of major projects of all types and recognise that stability arises from clear goals and plans to achieve them, a firm funding commitment, and a genuine commitment to these projects with the broadest stakeholder support possible.”

“As the Chartered body for the project profession it is our mission to support the better delivery of projects whatever their size.

“While we recognise that many major projects can be controversial, it is important to ensure that there is consensus around a programme of sustained, long-term major projects accompanied by adequate investment to ensure that economic and societal benefits are fully realised.”

Debbie Dore, chief executive of APM said: “Although we recognise there is a diversity of views about HS2, we welcome the independent report as part of a robust and credible process of external assurance - a good principle of project management for major projects involving public money. All major projects will have challenges across their lifespan and HS2 is a significant long-term project. Ultimately, projects like this need to be measured on the economic and social benefits they produce.”