Some recent written answers

Recently Antoinette Sandbach, Conservative MP for Eddisbury, asked a series of written questions about HS2 including questions on the ground investigation work they have done. We previously written about the problems with subsidence in former mining areas – see for example Meadowhall Mush and Salt Mining, subsidence and HS2.

What’s clear is that even through an HS2 spokesperson told the Sheffield Star last week that the final Phase 2 decision on the route “will be fully costed and within budget” when taken by the Secretary of State for Transport later this year: given they don’t yet know what the ground conditions are really like, this seems a tad optimistic to know that it will be both fully costed and within budget.


Q: 35238: Asked by Antoinette Sandbach on: 25 April 2016
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the reasons were for the delay in announcing the route of phase 2B of High Speed 2 to Manchester and Leeds.

A: Mr Robert Goodwill on: 04 May 2016
HS2 Ltd and the Department for Transport have been analysing route and station options in light of the responses received following the Phase Two consultation.

We have also been considering Sir David Higgins’ proposals to bring forward the benefits of HS2 to the North with a new Crewe Hub station, improve connectivity between Northern cities, and further integrate with Network Rail’s Strategic Business Plan, before deciding how to proceed.

HS2 Phase Two remains on target to open in 2033.

Q:35454: Asked by Antoinette Sandbach on: 25 April 2016
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether any ground investigation work has been carried out in Eddisbury constituency in relation to the High Speed 2 project.

A: Mr Robert Goodwill on: 04 May 2016
No intrusive ground investigation work has been carried out at this stage. Some preparatory elements of ground investigation such as the study of available information and consultation with related stakeholders has been undertaken.

Following a route decision in autumn 2016 HS2 Ltd will begin production of a full Environmental Impact Assessment.

Q: 35453: Asked by Antoinette Sandbach on: 25 April 2016
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether any aerial surveys have been carried out in Eddisbury constituency in relation to the High Speed 2 project in 2015 and 2016.

A: Mr Robert Goodwill on: 04 May 2016
Aerial surveys were undertaken in this area in 2015 to capture photography, video and topographical information. Additional surveys will be undertaken in 2016 to capture hyperspectral data.

Q: 35403: Asked by Antoinette Sandbach on: 25 April 2016
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, which geological surveys undertaken by HS2 Ltd since 17 July 2013 have considered (a) subsidence and (b) the effects of shifting land movement owing to salt movement or other effects of salt mining in Eddisbury constituency.

A: Mr Robert Goodwill on: 04 May 2016

No intrusive geological surveys have been carried out at this stage. HS2 Ltd has commissioned from a mining engineer (in consultation with the Cheshire Brine Subsidence Compensation Board) a study of the historical subsidence effects and ongoing extractive processes in relation to salt. This includes review of ground movements in the time between two successive (2014 and 2015) HS2 LIDAR surveys of the route in Cheshire, and earlier where relevant third party LIDAR data has been made available.

A re-review of the usefulness of satellite interferometry to evaluate historical ground movement across Cheshire (including the Eddisbury constituency) is ongoing.

Following a route decision in autumn 2016 HS2 Ltd will begin production of a full Environmental Impact Assessment.

Q: 35404: Asked by Antoinette Sandbach on: 25 April 2016
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what work HS2 Ltd has carried out in Eddisbury constituency since 17 July 2013 on mapping unmapped (a) pipework, (b) brine wells and (c) other brine extraction infrastructure.

A: Mr Robert Goodwill on: 04 May 2016
No field mapping has been carried out except two successive (2014 and 2015) HS2 LiDAR surveys of the route in Cheshire.

HS2 Ltd has commissioned from a mining engineer (in consultation with the Cheshire Brine Subsidence Compensation Board) a study of the saltfield, including the location of known brine wells.

HS2 Ltd has consulted with brine/salt extraction stakeholders in the Eddisbury constituency, including Tata Chemicals Europe Ltd. and Compass Minerals UK Ltd.

Following a route decision in autumn 2016 HS2 Ltd will begin production of a full Environmental Impact Assessment.

Q: 35402: Asked by Antoinette Sandbach on: 25 April 2016
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what information his Department holds on whether there have been any meetings between HS2 Ltd and King Street Energy Ltd to discuss the proposed gas storage project near Northwich.

A: Mr Robert Goodwill on: 04 May 2016
According to the Department for Transport’s records, representatives from HS2 Ltd met with King Street Energy on 25 September 2013 and 22nd May 2014 to discuss interactions with the proposed HS2 route.

A further meeting between HS2 Ltd and King Street Energy is scheduled to take place later this year.

Q: 35401: Asked by Antoinette Sandbach on: 25 April 2016
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what research HS2 Ltd has (a) produced and (b) commissioned on the geological effect of the construction and operation of High Speed 2 in Eddisbury constituency.

A: Mr Robert Goodwill on: 04 May 2016
HS2 Ltd has commissioned from a mining engineer (in consultation with the Cheshire Brine Subsidence Compensation Board) a study of the saltfield, which applies to Cheshire including the Eddisbury constituency.

HS2 Ltd. has commissioned from Heriot-Watt University a modelling of the geodynamic effects of high speed railway operation, which applies route wide including the Eddisbury constituency.

Q: 35399: Asked by Antoinette Sandbach on: 25 April 2016
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what estimate he has made of the cost of (a) construction of High Speed 2 through Eddisbury constituency and (b) dealing with engineering issues arising from salt mining, brine extraction or subsistence in such construction.

A: Mr Robert Goodwill on: 04 May 2016
No specific estimates have been made for the cost of construction or dealing with engineering issues arising from salt within the Eddisbury constituency, however the cost of construction of this section of HS2 and risk provision for engineering issues arising from salt has been included in the overall funding envelope which was confirmed in November 2015.

Q: 35400: Asked by Antoinette Sandbach on: 25 April 2016
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what research HS2 Ltd has (a) produced and (b) commissioned since 17 July 2013 on the potential effect of the construction of High Speed 2 on the aquifer in Eddisbury.

A: Mr Robert Goodwill on: 04 May 2016
HS2 Ltd have not produced any detailed work specifically examining the potential effect of the construction of High Speed Two on the aquifer in Eddisbury.

HS2 Ltd has commissioned desktop studies using existing survey work for the whole of the route from Crewe to Manchester which will examine interactions with landfill and mining and other ground conditions.

Following a route decision in autumn 2016 HS2 Ltd will begin production of a full Environmental Impact Assessment.

Q: 35398: Asked by Antoinette Sandbach on: 25 April 2016

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, which Natura 2000 sites have been identified as being within 10 miles of the proposed Phase 2 route of High Speed Two.

A: Mr Robert Goodwill on: 04 May 2016
The following Natura 2000 sites within 10 miles of the proposed Phase 2 Route (Special Protection Areas (SPAs) and Special Areas of Conservation (SACs)) have been identified:

1 SPA site

17 SAC sites

SPA Name

Peak District Moors

SAC Name

Birklands & Bilhaugh
Cannock Chase
Cannock Extension Canal
Denby Grange Colliery Ponds
Ensor’s Pool
Kirk Deighton
Manchester Mosses
Mottey Meadows
Oak Mere
Pasturefields Salt Marsh
Peak District Dales
River Mease
Rixton Clay Pits
Rochdale Canal
Skipwith Common
South Pennine Moors
West Midlands Mosses

Q: 35237: Asked by Antoinette Sandbach on: 25 April 2016
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how much of the current £55.7 billion budget for High Speed 2 is for (a) phase 1, (b) phase 2A and (c) phase 2B; and what the contingency budget is for each such phase.

A: Mr Robert Goodwill on: 03 May 2016

The 2015 Spending Review reconfirmed the Government’s commitment to the programme providing a long-term funding envelope of £55.7bn in 2015 prices. A breakdown of this envelope with and without contingency has been provided below:

£’bn, 2015 Prices Phase One Phase 2a Phase 2b Rolling Stock Total
Without Contingency 18.0 2.7 14.7 5.4 40.8
With Contingency 24.3 3.7 20.7 7 55.7

Q: 35239: Asked by Antoinette Sandbach on: 25 April 2016
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when he plans to announce the package of compensation schemes for phase 2A of High Speed 2.

A: Mr Robert Goodwill on: 03 May 2016

We expect to announce the Government’s response to the HS2 Phase Two: West Midlands to Crewe Property (Phase 2a) Consultation 2015 by the summer Recess.

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