Government publishes HS2 draft Environmental Statement consultation

Date: 17/5/2013

The Government is continuing to push on with the High Speed 2 project after publishing its draft Environmental Statement and proposed design refinement yesterday (May 16th).

Consultations were also launched in conjunction with the documents in order to assess public opinion on the plans and ensure the scheme is implemented in a way that properly accounts for local concerns along the route.

The draft Environmental Statement outlines the Government's current proposals for integrating the line with the landscape - as well as the design and construction methods that will be used during both building and operation.

Additionally, the design refinement consultation provides the opportunity for people and businesses to express their views on potential changes to initial plans for the section of the route that runs between London and Birmingham.

Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin said that the authorities will be working to minimise disruption as the line is introduced, focusing on the benefits that it is expected to deliver.

"HS2 is absolutely vital for this country, providing a huge economic boost which will generate a return on investment that will continue paying back for generations to come," he explained.

"We are confident that through continued hard work we can ensure that many of the feared effects of HS2 never materialise. We also know that the best design for the scheme can only be reached with the input of local communities, environmental groups and all levels of government."

Full public consultation on the proposals will be open until July 11th, and while the process is not a statutory requirement the Government says it represents efforts to promote widespread engagement on the project.

Throughout the implementation of the initiative, Japanese expertise will be utilised to ensure the latest and most appropriate technologies are included in design, construction and operation in a bid to achieve the ideal HS2 service.

Posted by Mary Treen

Transport News, Transport Consulting News and TRL Ltd