Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what arrangements are being made for public consultation on the draft environmental statement for Phase Two of High Speed 2 (Fradley to Crewe).

HS2 Ltd is already undertaking environmental surveys, meeting communities and carrying out ground investigation works on the planned line of route as part of its preparation for a Phase 2a hybrid Bill.

This early investigation and engagement will inform a draft Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report, which we expect to publish for consultation in autumn 2016. The draft report will show the potential environmental impacts of the scheme and indicative steps to mitigate them.