SUGGESTIONS the Government may scrap the eastern leg of HS2 via Toton and Sheffield to Leeds appear to have been laid to rest after Andrew Stephenson, the HS2 minister at the Department for Transport, published new safeguarding directions for phase 2b on January 21.
Mr Stephenson said the final design of the HS2 Phase 2b Eastern Leg will be determined by the government’s integrated rail plan, which it aims to publish early this year.
In addition, the latest safeguarding update includes a site east of Leeds required by the HS2 which would support the potential integration between HS2 and Northern Powerhouse Rail.
He added:“The developer of the site has been made aware of the safeguarding directions prior to their publication as has the local planning authority, Leeds City Council. “By protecting the site now, the Government guards against potentially conflicting development, as well as the risk of increased costs of building the new railway. “This protects the public’s interest in spending taxpayer money in a proportionate fashion. The Government periodically reviews land requirements needed for the project and updates the extent of safeguarding accordingly.