Our response to major Phase 2b HS2 consultation

Whilst we welcome HS2 Ltd’s Environmental Policy, Landscape Design Approach and the Green Corridor Strategy we are seriously concerned that the commitments made in these policies have not been adequately followed through in the proposals in the Working Draft Environment Statement.

There may be opportunities for HS2 Ltd to go beyond direct mitigation and provide enhancements for heritage assets or improved public access. We also believe that HS2 Ltd should adopt a policy of biodiversity net gain. 

It is a major limitation of this consultation that details of vertical alignment and visualisations have not been made available in order for the public to properly understand the impact of HS2.