Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what factors affected their decision to authorise an application for a Transport and Works Act Order to extend Bromford Tunnel as part of Part 1 of HS2, given they have denied a similar request to build a tunnel in place of a viaduct at Wendover on the same route; and whether an independent process is in place to determine if such an application can be made.

The decision to promote an extended tunnel at Bromford, and the decision not to promote a bored tunnel at Wendover, were taken by HS2 Ltd, as scheme developer, based on an analysis of the costs and benefits of each option, and in consultation with the Department for Transport as project sponsor. In the case of Wendover, this decision has been supported by additional independent analyses. The decision to apply for a Transport and Works Order (TWAO), as a legislative vehicle for enabling the extended tunnel at Bromford, was taken by HS2 Ltd and did not require specific authorisation from the Department. The Bromford Tunnel TWAO application was received by the Secretary of State on 20 January 2022 and will now be assessed in accordance with standard TWAO processes and relevant legislation.