Merriman takes guiding role at High Speed Rail Group

The High Speed Rail Group has appointed former Rail Minister and Chair of the Transport Select Committee, Huw Merriman, as Non-Executive Chair.

He served as Conservative MP for Bexhill and Battle constituency from 2015 to 2024, and was Minister of State for Rail, HS2 and Regional Transport at the DfT between October 2022 and July 2024. 

Prior to holding ministerial office, Merriman was Chair of the Transport Select Committee for almost three years.

Merriman championed HS2 while Chair of the Transport Select Committee and as Rail and Regional Transport Minister. Although this was later scrapped, he is supports the project, describing it as “the railway of the future”, in addition to the other new rail enhancements which he sought to drive forward as alternative projects. 

He also serves as Chair of the Liverpool–Manchester Railway Partnership Board, working for Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, Steve Rotheram, Mayor of the Liverpool City Region and the local authorities on the line of route to deliver a railway between the two cities as part of Northern Powerhouse Rail.

Meriman said: “While progress on HS2 since the reset is encouraging, crucial decisions on Northern connectivity are still awaited. It is vital that these decisions fully reflect the opportunities for improved connectivity, increased capacity and regional growth.

“Developing a national, integrated rail network that connects North, South, East and West is in the national interest so I look forward to supporting and advising the High Speed Rail Group as it continues to make the case for high speed rail as a driver of national prosperity, innovation and opportunity.”