Decision details

On 6 June 2019 HS2 launched a consultation on a number of proposed amendments to theHigh Speed 2 railway route as published in the Working Draft Environmental Statement (WDES) which was consulted upon in the autumn of 2018. The new consultation includes an amendment to the route at Trowell which moves the proposed railway line east to avoid the need to permanently move the M1 Motorway; the consultation will close on 6 September 2019. Responses to this consultation will inform on-going design and environmental assessments in advance of the formal deposit of the hybrid Bill.

Members received an update on the published HS2 Phase 2b Design Refinement considered a response to this consultation. The following comments were amongst those noted:

·         The report was disappointing as the previous report should have been part of the response.

·         The purpose of the consultation was to provide a detailed response.

·         It was necessary and reasonable to request HS2 to prepare a report on tunnelling and to respond to issues of feasibility.

·         The whole of the previous report would need to be added as the Council’s response. The current comments would not replace previous comments that had been submitted.

·         The Council should have submitted more a more detailed response through using further officer comments.

·         The officers would respond in the proper manner and there was a duty to pass on comments from members of the public.

RESOLVED that:

1.         To respond to the consultation, having regard to the points contained in this report and the appendix;

2.         To request that HS2 Ltd prepares a report on the environmental, social and economic advantages and disadvantages of tunnelling the route through Broxtowe.