Volume 1 introduces the environmental statement and provides an overview of the route and environmental impact assessment process. 

In this document you’ll be provided with a description of:

• the HS2 Phase 2b Crewe – Manchester route;

• the environmental impact assessment process;

• the approach to consultation and engagement;

• the permanent features and generic construction techniques; and

• the main strategic, route-wide and local alternatives considered.

• an overview of the area;

• a description of the construction and operational features of the Proposed Scheme within the area;

• environmental baseline information;

• a description of the likely significant environmental effects of the Proposed Scheme;

• the proposed means to avoid, prevent or reduced the likely significant adverse environmental effects;

• the proposals for monitoring, including measures during and post construction and during the operational phase; and

• photomontages (viewpoints) that will be significantly affected.

These folders also include the Volume 5 (technical appendices and map books) related to the associated community area. 

These documents do not form part of the High Speed Rail (Crewe – Manchester) Environmental Statement.

When both Houses have agreed on the content of a Bill it is then presented to the reigning UK monarch for approval, which is known as Royal Assent.

Once Royal Assent is given a Bill becomes an Act of Parliament and is law.

Different types of Bills can be introduced by:

• the government;

• individual MPs or Lords; or

• private individuals or organisations.

There are three different types of Bill: public, private and hybrid Bills.

Hybrid Bills are so-called because they combine features of public Bills and private Bills. Essentially they are Government Bills which affect certain individuals and bodies in ways that do not affect everybody. Infrastructure Bills – and in particular transport infrastructure Bills – tend to do this because they have different effects for different geographical parts of the route.

The High Speed Rail (Crewe – Manchester) hybrid Bill will not only grant deemed planning permission for the works required to build the HS2 line between Crewe and Manchester, but will also confer powers to:

• operate and maintain the railway and its associated works;

• compulsorily acquire interests in the land required;

• affect or change rights of way, including the stopping-up or diversion of highways and waterways (permanently or temporarily);

• modify infrastructure belonging to statutory undertakers (e.g. utility companies);

• carry out works to listed buildings and demolish buildings in conservation areas; and 

• carry out protective works to buildings and third-party infrastructure.

Examples of hybrid Bills include the Bills passed for the construction of the Channel Tunnel and Crossrail as well as those for previous phases of the HS2 project between London and the West Midlands and the West Midlands and Crewe.

Further information on Bills can be found on the UK Parliament website at:

http://www.parliament.uk/about/how/laws/bills

There are 11 stages in total for the Bill to go through before it is passed into law. The first stage is known as First Reading.

This is the first stage of the Bill’s passage through the House of Commons and is a formality, taking place without debate. The short title of the Bill is read out and is followed by an order for the Bill to be printed.

The next stage for the Bill is Second Reading, where the principles of the hybrid Bill are debated and agreed, following which a Select Committee is set-up.

The Select Committee stage takes place following a petitioning period during which those specially and directly affected by the Bill can petition. These petitions are then considered by the Select Committee which may result in amendments to the Bill. 

A Public Bill Committee of Members of Parliament then reviews the Bill and may make amendments to the public elements of the Bill, after which the Bill undergoes its Report and Third Reading stage.

The Bill then passes to the House of Lords, where a similar process is followed. The Bill returns to the House of Commons for consideration of any amendments made in the House of Lords and following this receives Royal Assent, becoming an Act of Parliament.

Further information regarding how Bills pass through Parliament can be found on the UK Parliament website at:

http://www.parliament.uk/about/how/laws/passage-bill

Environmental Statement consultation

Following First Reading of the hybrid Bill and the deposit of supporting documents, Standing Orders require a public consultation on the formal Environmental Statement. This formal consultation is usually held over a period of 56 days (eight weeks), with a summary of comments on the formal Environmental Statement provided to inform Second Reading of the Bill.

Parliament appoint an independent technical assessor to summarise the comments received in response to the consultation. Once the consultation has closed, a summary report will be published on the UK Parliament website.