As speculation on the northern stretch of HS2 continues Staffordshire councillors have been told of work that has already taken place along the route.

Questions have been raised in recent days about whether or not Phase 2a of the high speed rail line, between Birmingham and Manchester, will go ahead.

Earlier this year it was revealed that construction of the section between Birmingham and Crewe was to be delayed by two years, with rising costs being highlighted as an issue. But some preparatory work has been taking place in Stafford Borough, HS2 representatives told members of Staffordshire County Council on Thursday (September 28).

Victoria Roberts, senior community engagement manager for Phase 2a of HS2, said: "Earlier in the year elements of Phase 2a were put on pause as part of the re-phasing of the programme, as directed by Government. What this means is the main construction work between Fradley and Crewe has been put on pause for two years.

"There is a two-year delay on that activity starting, which will mean some of our preparatory work which was planned and needs to take place before construction work has also been re-phased to align with that main civil work programme. However we are continuing with some of that preparatory work that's already under way and our land acquisition programme.

Questions have been raised about whether or not phase 2a of the rail line will go ahead (Nub News).

"Some of the work we are continuing is the early environmental programme, where we have been creating environmental sites. There's about 81 across the whole of the Phase 2a route and most of those have been completed – where they haven't been started they will be re-phased later into the programme.

"We're now moving to maintenance of those environmental sites, like pruning, grass cutting and general maintenance to ensure those sites can be established and mature before any further construction works happen so that they're ready for any wildlife to move into. What that means for communities is there may be short-term traffic management or signage that's put in place to make sure vehicles can safely access sites if they're needed for any maintenance purposes.

"We had three utility diversions that are still being completed because they were well underway. Tolldish Lane (near Great Haywood) and Hanyards Lane (near Tixall) are the two in Staffordshire – those are expected to be completed and that land reinstated so by the next few months those sites will be finishing up.

"All the other diversions that were planned have now been paused and they will be re-phased later into the programme, including some of the sites at Marston, Yarnfield and Kings Bromley. Where work had started on those sites, those sites have been demobilised and work put on pause – where work has started those sites will be reinstated to a certain degree.

Despite work taking place, farmers are still continuing to use the land whilst it is not in use (Nub News).

"When we look at the road modifications, there were quite a few specifically in the Stafford area. We had 21 sites across Staffordshire for Phase 2a and the construction junction changes at Hanchurch Junction 15 (of the M6) and Wood End Lane – all of those have been put on pause."

Work had also been continuing on the land possession programme, councillors heard on Thursday. Ms Roberts said: "Under the HS2 Act we have limited time in which to acquire all the land, so those powers mean we need to continue with that possession programme and ensure that is continued as planned.

"In recognition of the fact that some of this land we now won't need for a period of time, we're looking at things like farm business tenancies and crop licences. We're having conversations so that (farmers) can continue to farm that land whilst we're not in need of it.

"Whilst it's in the ownership of HS2 or the Department of Transport, it's still land that can be used by farmers and it's not sitting there not being used. Where we aren't able to do that we will then maintain that land appropriately, keeping it in a good condition, weeding and strimming."

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