Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to mitigate the potential disruption to wildlife caused by the construction of the HS2 Phase One line.

HS2 has been designed with a view to avoiding or reducing impacts on habitats and species. Where avoidance is not possible, mitigation and compensation to address effects on legally protected wildlife includes relocating species and providing replacement habitat.

For example, underpasses and green bridges will provide safe crossing points for bats and other wildlife. Compensation for great crested newts will include replacement ponds, habitat and hibernation features. Many of the first works now underway for the railway involve the creation of such replacement habitats for wildlife.

Measures such as these will contribute to HS2’s overall aim of achieving “no net loss” in biodiversity as a consequence of building the railway.