28.03.12
HS2 phase 2 plans to be published in autumn
The Government will publish its plans for the second phase of HS2 in the autumn, Transport Secretary Justine Greening has announced.
A report from HS2 Ltd including advice on the business case and potential locations for additional stations will be received by the Government by the end of this month. These could include options for stations at Heathrow, as well as Leeds, South Yorkshire, Manchester and the East Midlands.
The ‘Y’ shaped line will continue north ofBirminghamtoManchester and Leeds with connections further north and into Scotland, to be completed around 2032/33. The first phase of HS2 has already been approved.
Greening stated that a decision would only be reached after a full public consultation was conducted. She will set out the proposed timetable for his later in the year.
In a Parliamentary statement, Greening wrote: “An important part of this process will be to consider the views of delivery partners in the cities where HS2 stations may be located, including any underpinning evidence which they have identified.
“Understanding local desires and plans for development will be crucial in helping me reach initial preferences for station locations. I am particularly keen to ensure that the network best supports the economic potential of the cities and regions it serves, through well-integrated station locations that build on local and regional plans.
“Minimising the risk of blight is a serious consideration, and it is for this reason that I expect to publish HS2 Ltd’s advice once I have reached a view on routes and station options.
“Publishing a detailed range of possible options without an indication of the Government's preferences would generate unnecessary and harmful blight across areas that ultimately might never be affected by the lines. I will be working with national environmental stakeholders to discuss key sustainability issues and how best to consult on lines of route going forward to help meet the needs of different stakeholders and the public.”
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