Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether a Transport and Works Act 1992 Order can be used to grant a tunnel at Wendover for HS2.

Transport and Works Act Orders are one way of securing the necessary powers for railway infrastructure works. Other ways include securing a Development Consent Order, seeking local planning permission or setting out the intended works in dedicated primary legislation. The powers to construct HS2 are set out in primary legislation (the Phase One Act) and are permissive.

If the Government were minded to deliver infrastructure which went beyond that permitted by the Phase One Act then a Transport and Works Act Order would be one way of securing the necessary powers. However, there are no plans to change the consented scheme at Wendover and this means that no new powers are being sought there.