Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many recognised ancient and veteran trees are scheduled to be removed during (a) Phase 1, (b) Phase 2a and (c) Phase 2b of the High Speed 2 project.
To date we have identified 35 trees exhibiting veteran or ancient tree features that would need to be removed for Phase One.
The Phase 2a Environmental Statement (as amended) reports the loss of 38 known ancient or veteran trees on a precautionary basis.
The Environmental Impact Assessment has not yet been completed for Phase 2b, so we are unable to provide numbers of trees.
Approximately 0.39 square kilometres of ancient woodland will be lost between London and Crewe (Phase One and Phase 2a). HS2 Ltd aim to plant over 7 million new trees and shrubs along the line of Phase 1, including over 40 native species.