Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask Her Majesty's Government when HS2 is (1) built to Birmingham, and (2) completed, what is their estimate of the tonnage of freight that could be diverted from the roads onto the existing south to north railways, over what period of years, and with what effect on air pollution and greenhouse gases.

As a new rail line, HS2 will free up train paths on the existing railway which could be used to allow more freight to travel by rail. The freight operating companies will be able to apply for these additional paths in accordance with normal railway industry processes. The freight operators are independent commercial companies and the types of cargo, the tonnages and the routes will depend upon the demand that exists from their customers at that time. Any increase in the number of freight trains that results in a reduction in freight moved by road is likely to lead to a reduction in air pollution and greenhouse gases emissions.