Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will commission a strategic environmental assessment of the proposal for a High Speed 3 line between Leeds and Manchester.

The Government is still developing and considering proposals for High Speed 3 (HS3). As such it is too early to say whether or not we would complete a strategic environmental assessment. As we move ahead with HS3, we will ensure that an appropriate approach is taken to assessing environmental impacts and considering alternatives, and that any proposed scheme is developed in line with relevant domestic and European legislation.