Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Sugg on 10 April (HL14857), whether the proposed height of station platforms above rail for dedicated HS2 train platforms complies with the EU Technical Standards for Interoperability; and if not, whether the Department for Transport has (1) applied for, and (2) received, a derogation for non-compliance.

The proposed height of station platforms above rail for dedicated HS2 train platforms has been designed to ensure level access for all passengers. It does not comply with the current EU Technical Specification for Interoperability regarding platform heights. However, the HS2 network does comply with the relevant EU (‘GC’) loading gauge. No derogation has been applied for as this is not needed at this stage. Further consideration will be given to whether it is necessary to apply for a derogation, depending on the extent to which EU legislation applies in the UK at the point when the platforms are put into use.