HS2 to begin environmental study

Environment and engineering survey work can now begin along the High Speed Two (HS2) alignment between London and Birmingham, UK. An access to private land agreement was reached with landowner representatives, which led to yesterday’s announcement.

Work should begin in February to identify plants, animals and habitats. If necessary, HS2 will carry out further, detailed investigation of specific species.

HS2 said that it had also begun contacting individual landowners to arrange site visits. HS2 chief executive Alison Munro added, “I’m very pleased that we are able to get going with the next key stage of our work assessing, in much greater detail than we have been able to do up till now, the potential impact of the HS2 proposals on local sites. We hope to develop close working partnerships with those affected by the new line and this licensing arrangement is an important step in that direction.”