Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will place a copy of the Environmental Impact Assessment for the proposed HS2 Bromford tunnel extension, currently the subject of a Transport And Works Act Order, in the Library of the House.

HS2 Ltd proposes to take forward the Bromford tunnel extension under powers provided by the High Speed Rail (London to West Midlands) Act 2017. HS2 Ltd has undertaken an environmental screening assessment which has concluded that there are no new or different significant adverse effects resulting from extending the tunnel, beyond those previously assessed in the Phase One Environmental Statement, which can be found online. By placing more of the route underground, there will be a reduction in environmental effects, including reduced impacts on ancient woodland, Park Hall Nature Reserve and the River Tame. There will also be fewer lorry movements. In order to resolve a potential legal inconsistency, HS2 Ltd has recently applied for a Transport and Works Act Order to remove three words from Schedule 1 of the Act.