Eland House Bressenden Place SW1E 5DU David Mack Tel: 020 7944 4908 Via email: [email protected]

17 May 2011

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION

FOI REQUEST FOI11/178

Dear Mr Mack

I am writing regarding the questions received 13 April. I advise that your request has been considered under the terms of the Environmental Information Regulations (EIR) 2004.

You requested response to the following:

The plans on the HS2 website show that the proposed route crosses over navigable waterways at the following locations:

Grand Union Canal Arm near (approx Chainage 17+100)

Grand Union Canal near Harefield (approx chainage 27+000)

Oxford Canal near Wormleighton (approx chainage 118+600)

Grand Union Canal near Offchurch (approx chainage 129+600)

Grand Union Canal - Birmingham and Warwick Junction Canal (approx chainage 173+000)

Birmingham and Fazeley Canal Digbeth Branch (approx Chainage 174+900)

Birmingham and Fazeley Canal near Curdworth (approx Chainage 167+700)

Wyrley and Essington Canal near Lichfield (under restoration)(approx chainage 183+400)

Trent and Mersey Canal near Curborough (approx chainage 188+000)

High Speed Two (HS2) Limited, registered in . Registration number 06791686. Registered office Eland House, Bressenden Place, London, SW1E 5DU, UK

Trent and Mersey Canal near Curborough (approx chainage 188+500)

The plans show the level of the proposed HS2 route but do not indicate the headroom to be provided over the waterways. For each of the crossings listed above please provide details of the clear navigation headroom to be provided between the underside of the proposed bridge deck and normal water level.

Regarding your question above, I advise that we do not hold this information. However what can be said is that HS2 would need to cross canals at certain points. Where this happens there would be no permanent impact on the canal. Headroom clearances necessary to maintain the operation of the canals crossed by HS2 would be agreed with the British Waterways Board.

We would like to reassure you that for the construction phase HS2 Ltd would operate a Code of Construction Practice and would have agreed with the relevant authorities how to avoid/minimise impacts on canals and their users before any work takes place.

The proposed London to Birmingham route is subject to a full public consultation, which commenced on 28 February. The consultation also covers the Government’s broader strategy for high speed rail.

There are a number of road shows and exhibitions during the consultation and these events are aimed to be informative and provide attendees with access to the information that has been used in developing the proposals, including the strategic thinking behind the proposals, the work that has supported the development of the proposals and information on the range of expected benefits and impacts associated with the proposals.

Subject to the outcome of this consultation the Government would seek to secure the necessary powers for delivery through a hybrid bill, which allows those affected to petition Parliament directly.

It is also important to point out that should the Government conclude, following the public consultation, that a high speed network should be taken forward, detailed design and refinement of the proposals to minimise impacts would continue.

High Speed Two (HS2) Limited, registered in England. Registration number 06791686. Registered office Eland House, Bressenden Place, London, SW1E 5DU, UK

Further, supporting information and documentation about the proposed high speed railway is available on the Department for Transport website: www.dft.gov.uk/highspeedrail, including our reports, new route maps, factsheets and some images/visualisations that may prove to be useful to you.

If you are unhappy with the way we have handled your request, or with the decisions made in relation to your request, you may complain in writing to HS2 Ltd at the above address. Please also see attached details of HS2 Ltd’s complaints procedure and your right to complain to the Information Commissioner.

Please remember to quote the following reference number, FOI11-178, in any future communication relating to this request for information only.

Yours sincerely

Sarita Raval Manager, Freedom of Information HS2 Ltd [email protected]

High Speed Two (HS2) Limited, registered in England. Registration number 06791686. Registered office Eland House, Bressenden Place, London, SW1E 5DU, UK

Your right to complain to HS2 Ltd and the Information Commissioner

You have the right to complain to HS2 within two calendar months of the date of this letter about the way in which your request for information was handled and/or about the decision not to disclose all or part of the information requested.

Your complaint will be acknowledged and you will be advised of a target date by which to expect a response. Initially your complaint will be re-considered by the official who dealt with your request for information. If, after careful consideration, that official decides that his/her decision was correct, your complaint will automatically be referred to a senior independent official who will conduct a further review. You will be advised of the outcome of your complaint and if a decision is taken to disclose information originally withheld this will be done as soon as possible.

If you are not content with the outcome of the internal review, you have the right to apply directly to the Information Commissioner for a decision. The Information Commissioner can be contacted at:

Information Commissioner’s Office Wycliffe House Water Lane Wilmslow Cheshire SK9 5AF

High Speed Two (HS2) Limited, registered in England. Registration number 06791686. Registered office Eland House, Bressenden Place, London, SW1E 5DU, UK