Overview

This bill amends the High Speed Rail (West Midlands-Crewe) Bill, focusing on environmental impact reporting, public consultation regarding Phase 2a, and clarifying the legal status of roads built as part of the high-speed rail project.

Description

The amendments introduce several key changes:

• Annual Reports on Ancient Woodland: Mandates the publication of annual reports detailing the impact of High Speed 2 construction on ancient woodland, including information specified by the Secretary of State. Reports are required annually unless construction is halted.
• Consultation on Phase 2a: Requires a public consultation by May 1st, 2021, with residents and stakeholders in affected areas (Shropshire, Staffordshire, Cheshire, and others deemed relevant) on various aspects including road traffic impact, environmental impact, and sufficiency of passenger transport provisions. A report detailing the consultation's findings and subsequent actions must be presented to Parliament.
• Clarification on Road Status: Specifies the legal creation and termination dates for roads constructed as highways by the project, ensuring they comply with existing legislation. This includes defining a "temporary highway's" lifespan based on official notification.
• Technical Amendments: Various amendments to Schedules 2, 4, and 32 make technical adjustments to existing clauses, primarily aligning them with the Communications Act 2003 and streamlining legal processes.

Government Spending

The bill doesn't directly specify new government spending figures. The cost implications are indirect, primarily associated with the required consultations, report preparation, and potential mitigation measures arising from the consultation findings. No specific budget figures are provided.

Groups Affected

• Residents of Shropshire, Staffordshire, Cheshire, and other affected areas: Will be directly involved in the Phase 2a consultation and may be impacted by the construction works.
• Stakeholders: Businesses, environmental groups, and other organizations in the affected areas will be consulted and could influence project modifications.
• High Speed 2 (HS2) Ltd (Nominated Undertaker): Responsible for preparing and publishing the required reports and complying with the new regulations.
• Highway Authorities: Will be involved in the legal processes regarding the classification and temporary closure of newly constructed roads.
• Parliament: Will receive and review the consultation report on Phase 2a.

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