Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of HS2's application to the Environment Agency to tunnel the Mid Chilterns aquifer below the River Misbourne and Shardeloes Lake; and when a decision will be made on the application.

The Environment Agency (EA) has been reviewing the application submitted by HS2 Ltd to tunnel the Mid Chilterns aquifer (including supporting risk assessments undertaken by HS2 Ltd) on a technical basis, using information and data to form judgements. As part of this review, the EA is ensuring that HS2 Ltd have identified and assessed any potential impacts on the environment, and will be making a decision on the application before 7 May 2021. If consent is issued, then it will contain appropriate conditions to protect against any impacts identified.