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鈥檚 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: 鈥淸It鈥檚] essential we keep a firm grip on these vital projects.鈥�
Delighted to be given responsibility for overseeing and ; essential we keep a firm grip on these vital projects working with and partners across Midlands and North so we can deliver vital connections, spread prosperity and level up this country.
鈥� Andrew Stephenson MP (@Andrew4Pendle)
Johnson gave the go-ahead for the rail project last week, despite alarm over a potential 拢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 鈥淚 don鈥檛 think HS2 has been a well-run project up until this point. I don鈥檛 think the HS2 Ltd leadership has been good enough.鈥�
He added: 鈥淲e will absolutely be gripping this project now, day in day out.鈥�
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鈥檚 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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