Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government which projects HS2 are continuing construction work on during the COVID-19 pandemic; and what assessment they have made of the impact of such continuation on the construction workers on those sites.
The Government’s current policy is that construction activity should continue where it can be undertaken in accordance with the Public Health England guidance and industry best practice. The Department has asked HS2 Ltd to work closely with their construction partners to ensure compliance with these guidelines in order to protect their workforce and local communities. Sites will not operate where this cannot be achieved. Around 25 sites are now closed where the guidance cannot be met. Work at the remaining sites is either paused, whilst contractors review whether operations can continue, or is proceeding where sites can continue to operate in accordance with the guidance.