Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps he is taking to improve infrastructure on the East Coast Main Line in preparation for the arrival of High Speed Two rolling stock; and if he will make a statement.

HS2 Ltd is currently identifying the works that may be required to accommodate HS2 services on the Conventional Rail Network from 2033. The initial assessment of areas where HS2 Ltd may need to undertake work is set out in the WDES, and work is ongoing to confirm which works will be needed. The works required will be detailed in the Phase 2b hybrid Bill, alongside the environmental assessment in the formal Environmental Statement, when the Phase 2b scheme is deposited in Parliament next year.

The Volume 4 of the WDES is available here:

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/745090/HS2_Phase_2b_Working_Draft_ES_Volume_4_Off-route_effects.pdf