2nd April 2013
We were very interested to read the following statement from HS2. It was produced following any enquiry from a third party who had read our HS2 maps article. If you have not yet seen this article, click here.
HS2 Ltd Director Leeds, Manchester and Heathrow, Ian Jordan, said:
“During the course of designing the routes north of Birmingham, HS2 Ltd staff – including board members, the chief executive, environmental specialists and engineers – visited hundreds of sites to help determine the proposed route and how it could sit in the local environment. Very careful consideration was given to all aspects of the design as part of more than two years’ work on the proposed routes.
“Wherever practicable, the proposed routes for HS2 have been designed to minimise potential impacts on people and properties as well as on important environmental features.
“The route north of Birmingham published in January is the Government’s initial preferred route. We are now able to address concerns about specific sites such as the Chesterfield Canal in more detail with local authorities, environment and heritage organisations.
“The public consultation on the routes north of Birmingham will start later this year. This will give everyone a chance to have their say before any decision is taken on where the line will run.”
ENDS
Background on Phase 2: Birmingham to Leeds and Manchester
* We worked with a range of organisations including the Highways Agency, Network Rail and the National Trust in developing the initial preferred route and station options.
* The Government and HS2 Ltd is currently talking to MPs, local authorities, station city delivery partners and others, including environment and heritage organisations, about these plans. This period of engagement will then be followed by an extensive public consultation on the preferred route, stations and depots to begin ahead of schedule later this year. The final route will be chosen by the end of 2014.
* Information gathered from the public consultation will help inform the decision on the final route, which will include how the line can cross existing infrastructure such as canals.
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