Minister of State (Rail and HS2) (): On 9 March 2023, the Secretary of State for
Transport restated the government’s
commitment to building High Speed Two (HS2) between London Euston and
Manchester. Continuing to progress the High Speed Rail (Crewe
to Manchester) Bill through Parliament is a vital part of this
commitment. Today (3 July 2023), the government is introducing
into Parliament a second additional provision to the High Speed
Rail (Crewe – Manchester) Bill.
HS2 is a key part of the
government’s levelling-up agenda: this new railway will act as a
catalyst for investment and economic growth, offering an
unparalleled opportunity to deliver new homes, jobs and
commercial development. The section of the railway between Crewe
and Manchester will also form the foundations for Northern
Powerhouse Rail, boosting inter-city connections and speeding up
east-west rail services between the North’s towns and cities.
The second additional provision proposes a number of changes to
the powers of the bill. These changes have been developed
following engagement with individuals and businesses, requests
from individuals affected by the route and further improvements
to the route design to ensure that the best possible railway is
built. The main changes are:
-
realignment of the M56 junction 6
-
lane and slip road works at junctions 19 and 20a of the M6
-
relocation of the Palatine Road Vent Shaft to the former
Hollies Convent School site near the Britannia Country House
Hotel
-
altered utility works to avoid or mitigate impacts on 5
ancient woodlands and sites of special scientific interest
-
road works along the line of route between Crewe and
Manchester Piccadilly station to reduce congestion and
increase road capacity during construction and operation
The additional provision also includes works to reduce the risk
of flooding, new footpath provision, changes to parking and taxi
provision at Manchester Piccadilly station and added areas of
planting to mitigate impacts on the environment.
Delivery of a project on the scale of HS2 will inevitably cause disruption for
local people and their communities. Those individuals who are
directly and specially affected by today’s proposals can petition
against the changes. The petitioning period will open tomorrow (4
July 2023) and continue until 15 August 2023.
I have overseen extensive engagement with affected individuals
and their communities by HS2
Ltd and I have written to elected representatives, such as parish
councils and local authority leaders, as well as my colleagues
with impacted constituencies in Parliament. Petitions will be
heard by the specially appointed Select Committee. The Select
Committee can make recommendations to address matters raised – it
may amend the bill, it may ask for new bill powers, or it may
require HS2 Limited to
address a petitioner’s issues via other means.
I am also publishing a supplementary environmental statement
setting out the significant effects, mitigation and compensation
from the changes in the additional provision, as well as
reporting new environmental information relating to the scheme. A
public consultation on these documents will run until 31 August
2023.
The documents will be put in the libraries of both Houses and
will also be made available in locations open to the public in
all local authorities and parishes affected by the changes.
