Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, on what dates the High Speed Two Construction Commissioner made to visits to High Speed Two sites from 1 January 2020 to date; and what the location was of each of those visits.

The High Speed Two (HS2) Construction Commissioner’s role is to provide independent decisions and mediate between the project and individuals or bodies, in unresolved disputes about HS2 Phase One and Phase 2a construction work. The role is part time and the Commissioner works eight days per month.

The Commissioner visited a number of sites in Warwickshire on 21 February 2020. He produces a quarterly report, which includes his observations from the representations he has received and the visits and meetings he has held.

As noted in his most recent report, covering the first quarter of 2020, the Commissioner’s visits along the route have ceased in order to comply with Government advice regarding COVID-19. He continues to raise issues with the Department and HS2 Ltd during this period. He meets virtually with officials and continues to respond to correspondence electronically.

Compliance with Government requirements relating to the COVID-19 pandemic meant it was not possible for the Construction Commissioner and the Residents’ Commissioner jointly to tour Buckinghamshire – including Amersham.