HS2: Revised Timetable and Budget

Part of the debate – in the House of Commons at 12:42 pm on 14 March 2023.

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Photo of Huw Merriman Huw Merriman Minister of State (Department for Transport) 12:42, 14 March 2023

When the integrated rail plan was published, it made reference to a Leeds area study that needed to be published, which in itself would unlock money for a mass transit scheme for Leeds. We will shortly bring forward that route study, which will provide the answers on how HS2 trains can go up to Leeds. Until then, the safeguarding will remain in place. I am keen that we get those answers, so that we either find a solution to get HS2 trains up to Leeds—again, that will be down to the study and responses—or, if that is not possible, decisions will need to be made about land and property that is currently blighted. That will occur once the route study has been published and responded to.