The full closure of the A425 to allow HS2 works was originally intended to last 9 months and the subsequent proposal to extend that closure very substantially would have caused very significant disruption and damage to the local economy. I and local government colleagues argued consistently that this extension could not be justified and that earlier promises to build an offline diversion that would keep A425 traffic moving should be honoured. I am pleased to hear today that this is what HS2 Ltd and its contractors intend to do and that the full closure will be kept to the period originally suggested.
