HS2 conservation measures could be sacrificed to cut costs in new review

Plans to mitigate the environmental impact of rail line are under threat, campaigners warn

TUNNELS and “green” bridges designed to reduce the impact of High Speed 2 on the landscape and wildlife could be scaled back as part of costcutting following Boris Johnson’s decision to go ahead with the rail line.

Officials are reviewing the measures in place to minimise the effects of HS2 on the environment, including noise levels expected for residents along the route. Conservation charities have warned that the review, which will examine the effects of environmental mitigation measures on the “costs of delivery”, could result in a “bare minimum approach”.

The warnings came as Lord Berkeley, who was deputy chairman of Mr Johnson’s official inquiry into HS2, claimed that the total cost of HS2 and associated schemes would exceed £230billion. In a letter to Rishi Sunak, the Labour peer urged the Chancellor to instead commit to “a large number of smaller projects” to improve transport links in the North and Midlands.

The latest review, led by the Government’s Infrastructure and Projects Authority (IPA), will examine the “lessons” of the project so far after it emerged that the bill for the line is likely to be more than £100billion.

It will focus on seven areas, among them environmental mitigation, its engineering specifications, including the proposed speed of trains, and the use of consultants.

Current environmental mitigation plans include tunnels, noise barriers, creating new habitats for animals displaced by the line, and “green” bridges, which will allow wildlife to cross the tracks safely.

Ingrid Samuel, the National Trust’s historic environment director, said: “We’re concerned that the Government’s intention to review cost savings for HS2 could result in a bare minimum approach, and exacerbate the climate and ecological challenge we face.

“Vulnerable natural habitats have never been in greater need of protection. To ensure the railway leaves a positive legacy, the Government can

‘We’re concerned the intention to review savings could result in a bare minimum approach’

not afford to get this wrong.” The Government has said the review will examine “the lessons of HS2 Phases 1 and 2a” of the line – the sections between London and the West Midlands and Crewe, “for delivery of the project, particularly Phase 2b” – the sections from Crewe to Manchester and the West Midlands to Leeds.

A Department for Transport spokesman said: “Any plans from these lessons will not come at the expense of delivering HS2 in an environmentally responsible way.” A formal announcement last month stated: “This IPA review should consider decisions made in Phase 1 to date, and recommend where it is sensible to deviate from specifications and practice to reduce anticipated final costs in a way that preserves value for money, and the strategic and economic case.”

Last month, Mr Johnson committed the Government to building the entire Y-shaped line, which is due to stretch from London to Birmingham and then from the West Midlands on to Leeds and Manchester.

As he announced his approval for the project, however, the Prime Minister criticised the management of the project, saying that HS2 Ltd, the government-owned firm building the line had “not made the task easier” and that the costs “had exploded”.

Grant Shapps, the Transport Secretary, also said the review could lead to slight changes to the route, and trains operating at lower speeds.

In his letter to Mr Sunak, Lord Berkeley said that opting for alternative projects to HS2 could save taxpayers £65billion. “I hope you will consider them before committing the Government to such an immense sum of money,” he wrote.