Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answers by Baroness Vere of Norbiton on 9 March (HL 1714 and 1715) and 11 March (HL1912) on the HS2 plans for Euston, whether any work on the proposed HS2 tunnels between Old Oak Common and Euston will be commenced before a complete review of the Euston proposals, including the tunnelling plans in the Euston area, has been undertaken and the findings published.

In relation to the proposed HS2 tunnels between Old Oak Common (OOC) and Euston, in order to avoid further delays to implementation of the HS2 project, HS2 Ltd and its contractors will continue with the current programme of works, where such works will be required regardless of design changes that may arise in response to the outcomes of the Oakervee Review.

The Tunnel Boring Machines (TBMs) that will tunnel most of the OOC to Euston tunnels, will start from OOC, where space and facilities are available to build the TBM launch site and manage efficiently the disposal of materials excavated from construction of the tunnels. Tunnel construction work will commence shortly, including building the subsurface TBM launch pits and commissioning the TBMs, which will then tunnel to Euston. These works will take a number of years to complete, which will allow time to complete the review of the HS2 scheme at Euston recommended in the Oakervee Review.