Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions her Department has had with HS2 Ltd on reducing the environmental impact of HS2 construction.

The Secretary of State requires that HS2 Ltd minimises its environmental impact throughout construction and operation. This includes through the Environmental Minimum Requirements (EMRs) for the scheme. The EMRs include an Environmental Memorandum and a Code of Construction Practice which sets out specific environmental controls that HS2 Ltd and its contractors must follow to minimise the effect of noise, air quality, waste, and water management and a range of other impacts. The Department for Transport has regular discussions with HS2 Ltd on the fulfilment of these obligations, including at the HS2 Ltd Environmental Sustainability Committee, and contractually requires the company to follow sustainable development principles and minimise adverse environmental effects through the Development Agreement between the Secretary of State for Transport (DfT) and HS2 Ltd.