A report and major public consultation have today (October 11) been launched by HS2 Ltd, on the expected environmental impact of the line proposed to go through the D2N2 LEP area.
Local leaders have reaffirmed support for an HS2 line through the East Midlands, but stressed that local people affected by it must be dealt with fairly, as the HS2 Ltd ‘Working Draft Environmental Statement’ is made public.
In July 2017 Government confirmed its preferred route for HS2’s ‘Phase 2b’ line, or ‘eastern leg’; proposed to run from the West Midlands, through Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire – between the large urban conurbations of Nottingham and Derby – through to Leeds.
The line includes plans for an East Midlands’ ‘hub’ station at Toton, Nottinghamshire; an HS2 maintenance depot at Staveley, north Derbyshire; and provision for HS2 classic compatible trains serving Chesterfield train station. It’s estimated the eastern leg would open fully in 2033, but with potential to partially open the hub station by 2030.
The D2N2 LEP – the private sector-led Partnership promoting economic and jobs growth across Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham and Nottinghamshire – is an active partner in the East Midlands HS2 Strategic Board; a partnership of more than 20 of the region’s local authorities, businesses and Local Enterprise Partnerships, which promotes HS2 in the East Midlands. It submitted its East Midlands HS2 Growth Strategy: World Class-Locally Driven report to Government in September 2017, showing how the Phase 2b line could be used to stimulate the economy; detailing opportunities HS2 brings for long term economic growth, equivalent to an additional 74,000 jobs and almost £4billion of GVA (Gross Value Added) by 2043.
A copy of HS2 Ltd’s ‘Working Draft Environmental Statement’ – which describes the environmental impact of the Phase 2b line, and initial proposals for how those impacts should be dealt with – is now available to view at Government website link www.gov.uk/government/consultations/hs2-phase-2b-working-draft-environmental-statement
The document will be subject to public consultation for ten weeks (closing date is 11:45pm on December 21, 2018). The consultation will include a series of free public information events in areas set to be affected by the proposed HS2 Phase 2b line, where people can see route maps and images connected with the line and ask questions of HS2 staff.
Public information events will be held in the D2N2 LEP area on:
- Friday November 2, from 2pm to 8pm – Trowell Parish Hall, Stapleford Road, Trowell, Nottingham, NG9 3QA.
- Saturday November 3, from 12noon to 5pm – Holgate Academy, Hillcrest Drive, Hucknall, NG15 6PX
- Wednesday November 7, from 2pm to 8pm – Dronfield Civic Hall, Dronfield Civic Centre, Dronfield, S18 1PD.
- Friday November 9, from 2pm to 8pm – St Thomas Centre, Chatsworth Road, Brampton, Chesterfield S40 3AW.
- Friday November 16, 2pm to 8pm – The Speedwell Rooms, Inkersall Road, Staveley, Chesterfield, S43 3JL.
- Saturday November 17, from 12noon to 5pm – Bainbridge Hall, Chapel Road, Carr Vale, Chesterfield, S44 6JD.
- Tuesday November 20, 2pm to 8pm – Newton Methodist Church, Main Street, Newton, DE55 5TE.
- Monday November 26, 2pm to 8pm – North Wingfield Community Resource Centre, Whiteleas Avenue, North Wingfield, Chesterfield, S42 5PW.
- Friday December 7, 2pm to 8pm – West Park Leisure Centre, Wilsthorpe Road, Long Eaton, NG10 4AA.
For further information about any of these events, on the HS2 website, click HERE.
Commenting on today’s release of the HS2 Ltd ‘Working Draft Environmental Statement’ for the Phase 2b line, Councillor Jon Collins, Chair of the East Midlands HS2 Strategic Board said: “The Eastern leg of HS2 will link Birmingham with Leeds via the East Midlands, and provides a high speed link to Scotland via the East Coast Main Line.
“It has the best economic case of any part of the HS2 network, but we must ensure that the environmental impacts on our communities and businesses are properly dealt with. The public consultation launched by HS2 Ltd today is an important stage in the development of the project, and we want to make sure that the concerns of local people are heard.”
For more on the East Midlands HS2 Strategic Board and its work see web link www.emcouncils.gov.uk/HS2
Media wanting more information about the D2N2 LEP can contact Sean Kirby, D2N2 Communications Manager, on 0115 9578749 or email: sean.kirby@d2n2lep.org
