Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask His Majesty's Government when they will publish impact assessments for the HS2 construction works between Curdworth in Warwickshire and Handsacre in Staffordshire due to commence in March 2027.

Going back to March 2023, the previous Government asked HS2 Ltd to pause some of the works on the section north of Birmingham. In 2025, this Government agreed to pause the works on the section between Curdworth and Handsacre for a further four years until 2029/2030. The four-year deferral of works will allow construction resources to be focused on the cost‑efficient delivery of HS2’s opening stage between Old Oak Common and Birmingham Curzon Street. During this period, essential activity such as the realignment of the A38 and completion of the A5 overbridge will continue. I appreciate that this may be disappointing for local communities, and I want to reiterate my commitment to delivering HS2 to Handsacre.