Today's announcement is perhaps a tacit admission that HS2 was losing both the PR battle and political consensus.
Happily, David Higgins appointment appears to be playing well...
Sir David Higgins to become new chair of HS2. A huge boost to HS2. Brilliant infra manager - Olympics, Network Rail, etc
— Andrew Adonis (@Andrew_Adonis) September 25, 2013
David Higgins will give HS2 the experienced leadership this vital project needs. Labour will bring Network Rail and HS2 together in 2015.
— Labour Transport (@labourtransport) September 25, 2013
Great news that former CEO of the Olympics Delivery Authority and @NetworkRail David Higgins is to become new chairman of HS2
— Danny Alexander (@dannyalexander) September 25, 2013
Huge statement of intent by #HS2 appointing Sir David Higgins
— Tom Edwards (@BBCTomEdwards) September 25, 2013
Congratulations to David Higgins on his appointment to HS2, a vital project for rail freight growth.
— Rail Freight Group (@RailFreightUK) September 25, 2013
Good to see David Higgins join HS2 After Doug O's great work to get it rolling, he's the man to get the project built http://t.co/crbb0ZRcZ5
— Antony Oliver NCE (@antonyolivernce) September 25, 2013
Even Mr Grumble knows it's the right answer...
No surprise that David Higgins is joining #HS2 but it is the politics, not the engineering or finance, that will determine its future
— Christian Wolmar (@christianwolmar) September 25, 2013
And this from the East Midlands mafia, better known as the Derby and Derbyshire Rail Forum...
"David Higgins has achieved great things at Network Rail, he has transformed the organisation into one that listens to its customers and the communities it serves. His experience as CEO of the Olympic Delivery Authority means he also has first-hand experience in delivering complicated, high value and politically sensitive projects both on time and to budget.
"We look forward to David taking the reins at HS2 and are confident that he will create a transparent and engaged organisation that will deliver the new North-South railway that this country so desperately needs."
Very good. Carry on.