The Transport, Environment, Communities & Climate Change Select Committee of Buckinghamshire Council was scheduled to discuss the ongoing progress of the High Speed 2 (HS2) project and review the council's work programme for the upcoming year. The meeting's agenda also included an update on transport and environmental matters.

HS2 Progress Report

The committee was scheduled to receive a comprehensive update on the High Speed 2 (HS2) project, a major national undertaking aiming to create a high-speed rail link between London and the West Midlands. The report detailed the significant civils-related activities that had taken place over the past year in Buckinghamshire, including the placement of viaducts and the realignment of roads. It also addressed the recent reset of the HS2 programme, announced in 2025, which aims to improve certainty on costs and delivery, though a revised programme from HS2 Ltd was still awaited.

The report highlighted the ongoing pressure HS2 construction places on Buckinghamshire's highway network, with road closures and temporary traffic lights impacting traffic flow and residents' movements. Concerns were raised about road damage caused by construction traffic, particularly on rural roads not designed for heavy goods vehicles, and on 'A' roads such as the A41, A355, and A413. HS2 Ltd had agreed to extend the Pothole Fund for a sixth year, with the final payment due in 2027, though the council intended to press for further extensions due to programme delays. The HS2 Road Safety Fund (RSF) was also noted, with 18 new road safety schemes approved for funding across the county.

Environmental aspects of the HS2 project were also on the agenda. The council had continued to issue detailed consents for the project under the HS2 Act 2017, with a busy period anticipated for planning consenting. The report detailed the progress on Schedule 17 applications for plans and specifications, as well as Bringing into Use submissions, which ensure HS2 Ltd implements mitigation measures for the operational railway. Site restoration schemes were also expected to increase as construction completes. The report also touched upon the council's efforts to secure confirmation from the Department for Transport (DfT) regarding 'new burdens' associated with highway assets transferring to the council, and the progress of the £1 million Environmental Mitigation Fund (EMF) for specific parishes.

The report also outlined the interface between HS2 and other national infrastructure projects, such as East West Rail (EWR), and noted the potential for cumulative impacts from overlapping construction activities. The council's ongoing community and stakeholder engagement efforts were also detailed, including the number of community meetings, webinars, and site visits conducted.

Work Programme

The committee was scheduled to review the work programme for the year 2025 to 2026. This included considering items for the next council year and confirming the dates of future committee meetings. The agenda indicated that the next meeting would be held on 21 April 2026 at 2 pm. A member had requested that East West Rail be invited to a future meeting to discuss the Transport Maintenance Depot planned for Newton Longville.

Public Questions

The agenda also included an opportunity for members of the public to ask questions in advance relating to items on the agenda. The Cabinet Member, relevant key partners, and responsible officers were to be invited to respond to these questions.