The Government has proposed changes to the HS2 hybrid Bill following discussions with communities along the London to Birmingham route.

Over 120 amendments have been put forward for the high speed railway project, which is scheduled to begin development in 2017.

Parliament has announced a debate on the updated plans.

A motion has been laid instructing the HS2 Select Committee to consider changes the government wishes to make to the Bill.

These amendments are the direct result of discussions between HS2 Ltd and communities along the London-Birmingham route.

Their petitions have been through the bill’s Select Committee process, resulting in changes to the details of HS2's design.

Transport Minister Robert Goodwill said: "This motion is a major step forward both in terms of getting HS2 through Parliament and getting this vital railway built.


"The changes to the bill show the government is listening to communities along the HS2 route. By working together, we can ensure this vital railway is designed in the right way, so we have spades in the ground in 2017 as planned."

The amendments to be put to the Select Committee are:

• Changes to the HS2 route near Lichfield, which mean the railway will now pass under the A38, the West Coast Main Line and the South Staffordshire line rather than run over them on viaducts - this will avoid the need for two crossings over the Trent and Mersey Canal, which had previously been of concern to local stakeholders, including the Canal and Rivers Trust.

• Altering the proposals for the relocation of the existing Heathrow Express depot at Old Oak Common to Langley near Slough, instead of the North Pole East depot site currently proposed in the bill.

• The construction of sidings to the west of the Old Oak Common station, which could facilitate a future connection between Crossrail and the West Coast Main Line, if needed.

Many petitioners made a case for small-scale changes to the bill.

Also included in the proposed amendments is the development of a bypass for Chipping Warden in Northamptonshire.

After the motion is debated by Parliament, the amendments will be deposited and anyone affected by the changes will be able to petition against them.

A consultation period will also begin so members of the public can have their say.

The Select Committee will continue to hear petitions from people along other parts of the Phase One route.

The Department for Transport said the hybrid Bill remains on track to achieve Royal Assent by the end of 2016.

(LM)