High Speed Rail Bill Select Committee: Extension of Chilterns Tunnel
28 August 2015
On 21 July, the Committee directed the working up of an additional provision to the HS2 hybrid bill for a 2.6km northward extension of the Chilterns deep-bored tunnel near South Heath. The Committee stipulated a review of the effects of that extension and will want to see that the additional deepening of the cutting at the tunnel exit will have adequate beneficial effects.
Following an internal review, the Department for Transport have today confirmed that they will proceed as directed by the Committee. In considering whether other, further mitigation options are merited, the Committee will still need to be satisfied that there are adequate beneficial effects in the South Heath area. Pending that, petitioners from the Chilterns appearing before the Committee in September and October should make their representations on the basis that the proposed extension replaces the Bill scheme as the current design. Anyone adversely affected by the proposal will be able to petition against it when it is formally deposited.