High Speed Two Limited
- Date 21 July 2022
- Sector Other
- Decision(s) EIR 12.4.b: Not upheld, EIR 5.2: Upheld, EIR 9: Not upheld
The complainant has requested information from HS2 relating to the HS2 project. HS2 initially provided some information, stated that some information was not held and withheld other information under regulations 12(5)(e) and 12(4)(d) relating to single track kilometrage, track layout schematics and the Euston High Speed Two terminus. After the Commissioner began his investigation, HS2 revised its response, citing regulation 12(4)(b) (manifestly unreasonable). The Commissioner’s decision is that HS2 has correctly cited regulation 12(4)(b) of the EIR, that the request can be categorised as manifestly unreasonable by virtue of cost, and that the public interest favours maintaining this exception. He has also decided that HS2 provided adequate advice and assistance under regulation 9 of the EIR. However, HS2 failed to comply with the request within 20 working days which is a breach of regulation 5(2) of the EIR. The Commissioner does not require HS2 to take any further steps.