Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask His Majesty's Government, pursuant to the HS2 Project Update, published on 25 March, which states “We must slow or pause some work while other sites catch up. This includes … secondary work supporting London’s tunnel network” and “We’ve deferred some works outside this area, including … secondary works on the London tunnels network”, what is the scope of that secondary work.

HS2 Ltd has extended the deferral of works between Birmingham and Handsacre, in place since spring 2023, to focus efforts on the cost-efficient delivery of the opening stage of HS2 between Old Oak Common and Birmingham Curzon Street. The scope of secondary works on the tunnels include construction activity relating to tunnel vent shafts, headhouses and walkways.