Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when the safeguarded land for Phase 2 of HS2 will be released back to the land owners.

Safeguarding on the route of HS2 Phase 2a (between West Midlands and Crewe) was lifted in January 2024. Safeguarding on the route of HS2 Phase 2b Eastern Leg (between West Midlands and Leeds) was lifted in July 2025. One small area to the south of the existing station in central Leeds, previously required for the new HS2 station, remains safeguarded to allow for potential enhancements to the existing station, including for onward travel.

Safeguarding along the former Phase 2b Western Leg (between Crewe and Manchester) has not yet been changed, and an update on future plans for safeguarding on this section will be provided in due course alongside broader plans for Northern Powerhouse Rail.