Press release

Sadie Morgan appointed HS2 Design Panel Chair

HS2 today moved another step toward reality with the appointment of its Design Panel Chair.

Sadie Morgan, a founding director of dRMM Architects, has been appointed to lead the body that will oversee the design of High Speed Two, helping to ensure that through great design HS2 delivers real economic, social and environmental benefits for the whole country.

The Government and HS2 Ltd are determined that High Speed Two builds on Britain’s railway engineering heritage, creating impressive stations, viaducts and bridges; and that it should also be sympathetic to the landscape through which it is built.

In addition it should provide a step change in rail travel making it both easy and pleasurable. Establishing principles to make that aspiration a reality and seeing through to completion will be core to Design Panel’s work.

Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin said:

I am very pleased to welcome Sadie Morgan as HS2’s Design Panel chair. Great design is essential to HS2. This vital railway is a key part of our long-term economic plan. We want HS2 to make the country proud and show the world what great British design can do.

Commenting on her appointment Sadie Morgan said:

I am delighted to take up the role as Chair of HS2’s Design Panel. As the single biggest infrastructure project the UK has ever undertaken, HS2 will touch the lives of millions of people.

Great design is integral to making sure that HS2 achieves its full potential, from the beginning to the end of the journey. This includes not only landscape and station design but the entire passenger experience. From website to way finding, ticketing to trains – the remit of the Design Panel will be all encompassing. We will deliver a project that everyone can be proud of, that speaks a national language yet respects regional dialects. Outstanding design will ensure a step-change in railway travel for this century and beyond.

Welcoming Sadie Morgan as HS2’s Design Panel Chair, Chief Executive Simon Kirby said:

I am extremely pleased that Sadie has joined HS2 to chair its Design Panel. As a founding director of her own architecture practice she clearly has the drive required to help us deliver HS2 as a world class high speed rail system.

Great design will help enable HS2 to deliver the step change in rail travel in Britain, making it a transport mode of choice and draw people to train travel who do not currently consider it.

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Published 23 March 2015