HS2 given the go-ahead despite Buckinghamshire protests

It seems the protests by South Bucks residents are being ignored. 

South Bucks District Council write on their website that the 'Coalition Government Railroads HS2 Through'.

The Secretary of State for Transport has today informed Parliament that the coalition Government is to pursue its proposals for HS2, a high speed railway linking London with Birmingham, Leeds and Manchester. 

The Government undertook public consultation on its proposals, between February and July 2011. It had indicated that it would make a decision in December 2011, but this was delayed until today. 

Councillor Roger Reed, South Bucks District Council's Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Sustainable Development said "this coalition Government's decision to proceed with this flawed scheme is plainly wrong and not sustainable. The proposals do not represent a sensible approach to making the much needed investment in our country's transport infra-structure and clearly does not provide value for money in these difficult economic times. The business case lacks all commercial credibility, based as it is on unsustainable assumptions. 

Further, the permanent damage that this unnecessary project will inflict upon our environment and our residents is significant." 

The decision is not the end of the matter: the Government plans to lay a Hybrid Bill before Parliament by the end of 2013 which would require a debate and decision on the detail to be taken by Parliament in due course. Meanwhile the campaign against HS2 will continue. 

The Government's decision to proceed also has further significantly damaging future implications for large areas of South Bucks, since the Government has also indicated that it will bring forward proposals in phase two for a link to connect with Heathrow. The Government says it will be engaging with stakeholders to discuss local views on this later in 2012, and will be formally consulting in early 2014. 

Cllr Reed added "Previous indications were that a link to Heathrow would necessitate a new line though the Denham and Iver areas. Today's decision leaves landowners in the Denham and Iver areas in limbo. Whilst the Government has indicated a clear commitment to the principle of a link into Heathrow, it has not considered it necessary to have consulted those most affected on route options. To make such a decision without first telling anyone where this will run is a curious form of localism."

 

Contact Information

For more information please contact

South Bucks District Council, Capswood, Oxford Road, Denham, Bucks. UB9 4LH

Tel: 01895 837200 Email: communications@southbucks.gov.uk

flickr image courtesy of Mick Baker(rooster)