An independent review has been commissioned by a Commons Select Committee which will look at the government’s proposals for a high-speed train network. The HS2 project is to be examined by Oxera, an independent consultant, and the results presented to the Commons Transport Committee.

Louise Ellman, the committee’s chairman said the review would focus on the business side of the HS2 project and would provide a guide which the group felt was needed as the scheme is important as well as being controversial. The first section of HS2 will run to Birmingham from London and is due for completion by 2026.

Mrs Ellman said the review was not meant to look at the route of HS2 and how it might affect residents, businesses and landowners; but rather whether the £32 billion project stood up to cost analysis, whether there were passenger numbers to support such an outlay of cash and whether it will cause a genuine shift away from road travel to rail travel on the route.

The committee will also look at viable alternatives to the project. The HS2 scheme is currently the centre of the coalition governments transport scheme and it is keen to see it get under way.

A report in the Sunday Times suggests that the Queen is concerned about the high-speed trains worrying her horses. Mrs Ellman, when asked about this, said she was not aware that Her Majesty had made any formal complaint the committee. Supporters of the HS2 project are due to be heard on 28 June; opponents on 12 July.