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.
