HS2’s civil delivery director David Speight has responded to the twenty-sixth Construction Commissioner’s report published in June 2023.
The HS2 independent Construction Commissioner report had listed a spate of reports and comments on matters that may have an impact on future numbers of complaints.
The response detailed how the government’s HS2 cancellation and reallocation of funds to the Network North transport infrastructure project has increased the number of public inquiries submitted about HS2.
From April to October 2023, HS2 received 727 complaints in comparison to 646 for the same period the previous year, an increase of 13%.
HS2 has resolved 97% of complaints in 20 working days or fewer, and all complaints have been concluded at the first stage of the complaints process, according to the government.
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To answer all relevant queries, HS2 has published guidance to help with questions about land and property for those living along the Phase 2 route. The HS2 helpdesk also continues to provide 24/7 answers for those affected.
According to the report, along the Phase 2a route, in July HS2 also circulated a newsletter to all residential and business addresses within one kilometre of the route. This newsletter provided updates on several topics, including construction activities and the land and property programmed.
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An updated version of the Local Area Engagement Plan was also published on the HS2 website in August.
As well as addressing public comments, the response detailed how HS2 construction is currently underway at more than 350 sites across the proposed route.
Phase one of HS2 construction has reached the halfway point as approximately 21 miles of underground routes have been constructed, representing about a third of the total tunnelling for HS2.
Achievements and innovations in transport planning will be celebrated at the third annual CiTTi Awards, which will be held on 26 November 2024 at the De Vere Grand Connaught Rooms in London. Nominations officially open in March 2024. Please visit www.cittiawards.co.uk to learn more about this unmissable event for the UK’s transportation sector.
