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Air quality

Improving the quality of the air we breathe is an important part of the Government’s 25 year Environment Plan. The plan sets out how to improve the environment within a generation and leave it in a better state than we found it.

By moving high speed trains on to a new, dedicated intercity line, HS2 will free up space on the existing rail network to run more local and regional commuter trains. With more reliable, local frequent stopping services available, people will be able to shift from road and air travel to rail which will improve the environment and the quality of the air we breathe.

Read our Air Quality Strategy

HS2 in operation

Delivering HS2 will enable the shift from road and air to rail, improving the quality of the air we breathe and supporting the transition to a net-zero carbon economy by 2050.

HS2 will be powered by electricity from a rapidly decarbonising national grid. Unlike cars, lorries or planes, HS2 trains will not emit air quality pollutants during operation.

Designing out emissions

Through our design stage we aim to avoid and minimise emissions during construction and operation.

For example, we are cutting emissions by transporting excavated material by rail rather than lorries on highways, cutting emissions and improving air quality.In partnership with London-based stakeholders, HS2 has provided an assurance that we will transport construction materials by rail, rather than road whenever possible. This means that we could have the potential to prevent approximately 55,000 lorry movements in the Camden area and reduce emissions by around 34%.

Additionally, our buildings are designed to avoid emissions during operation, for example through heating and cooling of the building. We assess the full design life of the building and the future supply of energy and design out emissions wherever we can.

Cutting emissions during construction

Our aim is to avoid emissions during construction, but where this is unavoidable, we have set stringent limits and do everything we can to minimise public and workforce exposure. Therefore, we continuously monitor real-time dust concentrations and nitrogen oxide at key sites along the route, as determined by the Institute of Air Quality Management’s best practice guidance.

The lowest emission standards available for all contractors’ vehicle engines (e.g. lorries, vans, and cars) has been set by us , as well as set targets for contractors to go beyond this as technology improves. This currently includes Euro 6 requirements for all lorries across the route. Furthermore we’ve set industry leading emissions standards for all machinery (e.g. excavators, dumpers, large cranes and piling machines).

We also require all our contractors to control and limit their dust, air pollution, odour and exhaust emissions during works.

Assurance and further information

HS2 Phase One environmental statement volume 3: route-wide effects

Chapter 3 of the Phase 2a Environmental Statement (2017) presents the assessment of the Air Quality of the Proposed Scheme during construction and operation.

View a copy here.

Phase One Air Quality Information Paper

This paper outlines the carbon footprint and greenhouse gas assessment for HS2 Phase One.

View a copy here.

 

HS2 Phase 2a environmental statement volume 3: route-wide effects

Chapter 3 of the Phase 2a Environmental Statement (2017) presents the assessment of the Air Quality of the Proposed Scheme during construction and operation.

View a copy here.

Phase 2a Air Quality Information Paper

This paper outlines the carbon footprint and greenhouse gas assessment for HS2 Phase 2a.

View a copy here.

Find out how we're driving industry-wide innovation on air quality

CESAR ECV - Construction Equipment Emissions Compliance Verification S

CESAR ECV - Construction Equipment Emissions Compliance Verification S

We became the first infrastructure project to adopt CESAR ECV - a new advanced emissions identification scheme.

Electric construction plant equipment

Electric construction plant equipment

We're pioneering the UK’s first electric forklift on one of its major construction sites in London.

Energy Alternatives

Energy Alternatives

Solar and hydrogen powered cabins have been rolled out across HS2 construction sites.

Clean Air Gas Engine technology

Clean Air Gas Engine technology

We're trialing new ultra-clean generator technology developed by a collaboration of three UK technology companies.

Non-Road Mobile Machinery retrofit

Non-Road Mobile Machinery retrofit

We have achieved certification by the Energy Saving Trust for the second stage of a retrofit innovation trial.

Further information

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