The draft ES provides information on the likely significant environmental effects of HS2 to date - and also of HS2’s plans wherever possible to mitigate them.
This includes proposals to avoid, reduce or where practicable, offset any significant adverse effects.
Transport secretary Patrick Mcloughlin said: “HS2 is absolutely vital for this country, providing a huge economic boost which will generate a return on investment that will continue paying back for generations to come.
“But you cannot build a new railway line without causing some disruption.
“What we can and will do is ensure that disruption is kept to a minimum by using the very latest design and construction methods.
“We also know that the best design for the scheme can only be reached with the input of local communities, environmental groups and all levels of government. “
Responses to the consultation have to be submitted by 11 July 2013.
The consultation also includes a draft code of construction.
Clinton Leeks, HS2’s director of external and parliamentary relations, has stated that the draft code describes the key principles that will be followed to avoid, reduce or manage the construction effects described in the ES.
The document sets out a series of measures and standards.
We encourage affected members to study the reports in the draft ES for their area.
To do that, you should click here and use the drop-down menu under ’Community Forum Area Reports’, to the left of the page, to select your area.
Each set of maps contains a wealth of information, but we would recommend that you look closely at sections 6, 11 and 12. There are map books which accompany the reports and include photomontages which indicate what the railway would look like.
The NFU would like members to inform HS2 and the NFU of any factual errors that could lead to effects on their business being under estimated.