Asked by: Esther McVey (Conservative - Tatton)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how much power HS2 trains will need to run across each of the phases.
Answered by Andrew Stephenson - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
We estimate that the HS2 network will require approximately 1 TWh of energy per annum at the completion of Phase 1/2a, and approximately a total of 2.5 TWh at the completion of Phase 2b. This will be subject to power usage specification of the Rolling Stock, and the findings of the Integrated Rail Plan (IRP). We routinely consider forecast growth in electricity demand, which includes the energy requirements of HS2.
Asked by: Sarah Green (Liberal Democrat - Chesham and Amersham)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps he has taken to help prevent (a) decline and (b) extinction of the Barbastelle Bat at (i) Leather Lane, (ii) Bowood Lane and (iii) Jones Hill Wood.
Answered by Andrew Stephenson - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
The Secretary of State and HS2 Ltd take the preservation and enhancement of all bat species and populations associated with the project very seriously.
HS2 Ltd’s strategy for the preservation and enhancement of bats in this area adopts a precautionary approach as to the presence of a Barbastelle population at these locations. That strategy, overseen by experienced ecologists, is to enhance linkages between woodlands and other habitats to provide connectivity and additional foraging areas for bats.
Works will include new species-rich woodland planting, hedgerow creation, the strengthening of existing hedgerows, and the translocation and reuse of ancient woodland soils. Planting will also be placed alongside the top of the cutting associated with this area to direct bat flight lines towards crossing points at Wendover Dean Viaduct. Prior to works, mitigation measures include the erection of bat boxes ahead of tree felling to ensure there is continuous availability of roosting features.
The provision of habitat and the creation of links at this scale will significantly increase the amount of foraging and commuting habitat available to local bat communities in this area.
The landscape and ecological design for this stretch of route is still being developed. When finalised, the proposals will be submitted to Buckinghamshire Council to support the local planning application for this area under Schedule 17 of the Phase One Act.
Asked by: Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi (Labour - Slough)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps his Department has taken to help ensure that the entirety of HS2 is delivered in a cost-effective manner.
Answered by Andrew Stephenson - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
We remain committed to focussing on cost control measures across the HS2 project. My Department has introduced new governance arrangements, including increased Ministerial oversight and accountability for this critical infrastructure project. We have this week released our third Parliamentary report, which sets out progress on the project, confirms that we remain within budget and schedule, and clearly demonstrates our commitment to transparently reporting progress against budgets.
Asked by: Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi (Labour - Slough)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment has he made of the level of funding available to build the HS2 eastern leg to Leeds.
Answered by Simon Clarke
The Spending Review will set out Government’s plans for public spending. The Integrated Rail Plan will set out how rail connectivity will be improved in the North and the Midlands. Details will be set out in due course.
Asked by: Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi (Labour - Slough)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether it is his policy to deliver the eastern leg of HS2.
Answered by Andrew Stephenson - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
The Government is committed to ensuring the East Midlands, Yorkshire and North East reap the benefits of high-speed services. The Department will soon publish its Integrated Rail Plan which will confirm how we intend to take forward the HS2 Eastern Leg.
Asked by: Sarah Green (Liberal Democrat - Chesham and Amersham)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many and what proportion of Schedule 17 applications submitted by High Speed 2 Limited have been (a) refused or (b) modified by the relevant planning authority.
Answered by Andrew Stephenson - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
To date 407 Schedule 17 applications have been made by HS2 Ltd, of which nine (2.2%) have been refused by the relevant local planning authority. This does not include applications where the local authority has failed to determine an application within the specified timescale, or extended determination timescales agreed with HS2 Ltd, resulting in HS2 Ltd submitting an appeal to the Secretaries of State in order to maintain the programme.
Applications can be modified in a variety of ways. Local planning authorities may place conditions on an approval. Alternatively, pre-application discussions in advance of formal Schedule 17 applications being submitted, often result in a design being modified or adapted through direct requests from local authority officers, or due to questions or concerns being raised.
Asked by: Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi (Labour - Slough)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment has he made of the implications for his policies of the letter from rail industry leaders to the Prime Minister of 13 September 2021 on the HS2 eastern leg.
Answered by Andrew Stephenson - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
Levelling up all areas of the country, including the North, remains at the centre of this government’s agenda. The rail schemes that will be set out in the Integrated Rail Plan for the North and Midlands will transform rail connectivity across the North and Midlands, playing a crucial role in driving economic growth and productivity, bringing people closer to opportunity, and spreading greater prosperity right across the country. Government will publish this plan soon, and it will confirm how we intend to take forward the HS2 Eastern Leg.
Asked by: Jim Shannon (Democratic Unionist Party - Strangford)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what plans he has to require the operators of diesel locomotives employed on HS2 construction work to use renewable diesel instead of fossil diesel to improve air quality and reduce CO2 emissions along the route of HS2.
Answered by Andrew Stephenson - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
HS2 has a Strategic Objective to design, build and operate HS2 to reduce carbon. The project is committed to limiting its environmental effects to those reported in the Environmental Statement.
Air quality emission requirements have been set for all construction vehicles and plant & machinery, and targets are in place to go beyond these requirements as technology improves. Deployment of low and zero carbon emitting equipment, including the use of fully electric, solar, hybrid and hydrogen technologies, continues across all HS2 sites.
HS2 Ltd is actively working with its contractors and supply chain to develop evidence in low carbon alternatives (hybrid, electric, biofuels, hydrogen, etc.) as a replacement for conventional diesel across its works (including on-road, plant and machinery as well as movements of material by rail). These innovations are aimed at building a better understanding of alternative fuels and technologies. As evidence is built, results will continue to be shared across the construction industry and other sectors.
HS2 Ltd continues to challenge its contractors and supply chain to take up cleaner technologies, fuels and materials where independent evidence on the benefits exist. The majority of the UK’s Rail Freight Operating Companies are part of that supply chain and are actively engaged in testing and developing their fleet in regard to safe acceptance of such alternatives, together with ensuring biofuels used are in line with the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation, which regulates biofuels used for transport and non-road mobile machinery.
Asked by: Paula Barker (Labour - Liverpool, Wavertree)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment his Department has made of the viability of bringing forward phase 2a of HS2 between Birmingham and Manchester; and whether that project is on schedule to be completed on time.
Answered by Andrew Stephenson - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
On 16 June, the Government published an update on recently approved revised delivery arrangements for HS2 Phase 2a, between the West Midlands and Crewe, predicated on a delivery into service range of 2030 to 2034. These arrangements will be formalised at the next fiscal event, expected to be later in 2021.
Asked by: Charlotte Nichols (Labour - Warrington North)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether his Department plans to increase the speed of HS2 trains when they use the existing railway network to ensure that they match the journey times of Pendolinos in operation.
Answered by Andrew Stephenson - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
No decisions have been made relating to the maximum speed of rolling stock on the West Coast Main Line after the completion of HS2.