Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Sugg on 23 May (HL7911), what discussions they have had with contractors about the need to ensure that fencing along the HS2 Phase One line is (1) stock proof to enable agricultural use to continue along the line post-opening, and (2) of sufficient quality to prevent domestic animals and wildlife from accessing the line.

HS2 Ltd has been working with the main works civil contractors to develop Phase One scheme designs which will continue until the end of 2018 when it expects to agree construction plans for the new high-speed railway and ancillary works such as fencing.

HS2 Ltd’s technical standard for fencing requires that temporary and permanent fencing shall be stock-proofed where appropriate, and this shall take account of the anticipated livestock loading on the fencing and its foundations.

The security fencing around the entire railway, designed to prevent unauthorised access, will also act as a barrier for domestic animals and many species of wildlife.