New HS2 high-speed rail chairman appointed

Date: 29/1/2010

Sir Brian Briscoe has been appointed as the new chairman of HS2, the company that is to advise on the development of high-speed rail services in the UK.

Sir Briscoe has held positions as chief executive of the Local Government Association and chair of the Independent Commissions for Cambridge and Reading.

He will take over from Sir David Rowlands who is to give up the position next month.

Transport secretary Andrew Adonis commented on the move: "This is an exciting time to be involved in the development of high-speed rail in the UK. I am currently studying HS2's report closely and will announce how we plan to take high speed rail forward by the end of March."

Last month HS2 delivered a detailed route plan for a high-speed line from London to the West Midlands and other destinations including Yorkshire and Scotland.

In December, Lord Adonis stated 2010 will be the "year of high-speed rail in the UK".