Reacting to the launch today of the HS2 Design Panel, Ralph Smyth, Head of Infrastructure at the Campaign to Protect Rural England, said: “With HS2 contracts going out to tender, the formal launch of the HS2 Design Panel has come not a moment too soon.

“Made up of people passionate about architecture, landscape, countryside and passenger experience, it has real potential. Potential to ensure HS2 can be a railway that functions well - whether for its passengers or for communities and nature that it passes through - and that we can be proud of in generations to come.

“It is critical, however, that the panel is transparent and independent: we want to see its deliberations regularly published and publicised. And we will need to see the High Speed Bill currently in Parliament amended to explicitly recognise the panel and give weight to its advice.”

The establishment of the panel was first announced by Patrick McLoughlin, Secretary of State for Transport, at CPRE’s annual lecture.