HS2 updateBy Colin Sully
The closing date for the consultation on the Government’s proposals for the Exceptional Hardship Scheme (EHS) – which deals with the issue of property ‘blight’ – has been extended to 17th June. If you haven’t already done so please respond as soon as possible.
A band of hard-working local residents is trying to ensure that everyone has access to information on the proposed EHS and details of a more progressive alternative (drafted by Frith Hill residents Hilary Wharf and Bruce Weston), together with advice on how to respond to the consultation.
An informal surgery on EHS held at the Parish Hall on 8th May was well attended
and the Annual Parish Meeting on 19th May provided a further local opportunity
for HS2 discussion. Over 70 parishioners and local councillors crammed into
the hall to listen to presentations from Steve Rodrick (Chief Officer of
the Chiltern Conservation Board) and Kathryn Gurney (a resident of The Lee
who has experience relating to HS1). They encouraged us all to sign the Downing
Street petition, respond to the EHS consultation and to write to MPs.Networked action
The informal – and in some cases now more formal – groups referred to in last month’s Newsletter continue to evolve, with the HP16 Action Group co-ordinating local activity and now providing a focus for residents between Amersham and Wendover, linking in turn to the HS2 Action Alliance Group providing an umbrella organisation and covering not only the preferred route but also the alternative options.
As soon as the proposals for the EHS are announced, we will publicise them in this Newsletter and when the format and nature of the full public consultation is decided, we will again provide details. Meanwhile, Nick Rose, of Chiltern District Council, has said that even though all the three major political parties are supporters ‘in principle’ of the high speed train he believes that the HS2 proposals can be seen off, but only by a combination of professionalism, volume of numbers, effective liaison, determination and stamina.
Next steps
When the public consultation starts, those who wish to rebuff the proposals will need to present clear and well-argued views on:
- The economic and business case: just what are the costs and benefits of a high speed rail network and who will pay?
- The type of high speed rail service proposed: a 250 mph train with non-stop services from London to Birmingham and beyond is just one ‘solution’.
- The best overall route: including whether new dedicated rail paths are needed through the Chilterns.
- The best method of engineering the route: tunnels, gradients, embankments, etc.
- What is needed to protect and preserve the environment in its many forms: noise, visual, flora and fauna, as well as residents? What can be done to ameliorate the effects?
All this means that the various action groups and the ‘specialist sub-groups’ that are being formed desperately need your support – they need expertise in the areas listed above as well as lobbying and publicity-raising skills.
If you feel you have something specific to offer at this stage, then in the first instance please contact the Parish Council or visit hs2actionalliance.com.