What to do about HS2By Kathryn Gurney
If, like me, you find yourself wondering “what to do about HS2”, you may recognise it as a familiar position to oscillate between “Oh, no they won’t (surely they can’t)!” and “Oh, yes they will!”. With a whole gamut of emotions in the middle.
It seems madness to consider that in a well trumpeted new era of austerity, we find ourselves faced with the prospect of a new high speed line being built – at vast cost (£180m per mile) – with no evidence of demand and flimsy green credentials (even the government’s papers describe it as ‘broadly carbon neutral’ – hardly a ringing endorsement)!
Somewhere on that spectrum, I continue to ask myself “what can we do?”. A number of recent developments have been shaping my thoughts.
The CEO of HS2 Ltd recently reiterated to a meeting of residents from Potter Row that the consultation exercise in the early part of 2011 will do two things:
- facilitate a national debate on whether or not it is in the national interest to have a new high speed rail link (as opposed to delivering high speed rail another way); and
- consult on the broad parameters (not the details) of the preferred route.
This makes it clear that we have to respond on both. We can expect to be asked to respond to more consultations than we’ve recently had cooked breakfasts.
This of course will be a test of resolve and patience! So please be warned – and please do act and respond to all requests that come out on The Lee Forum and in this Newsletter. Volume of responses, and not just weight of arguments, do matter.
HS2 Action Alliance (HS2AA) have had some recent successes on the question of the national debate: recent appearances on national TV and radio, engagement with the Transport Select Committee, the Dept for Transport and HS2 Limited and so on. They even now appear in the House of Commons Library! And they have been commended in the trade press for their rigorous and professional approach.
A meeting of almost 30 local action groups took place in Cholesbury recently and broad support was given to HS2AA to appoint a lobbyist, which by the time of going to press will have been done. It’s clear that the national, as well as local, arguments need to be heard at every level and we need broad support.
Anyone wishing to write letters during the time of the Government spending review to The Treasury, the Prime Minister or local MPs will find a raft of information on the website of HS2Action Alliance (www.hs2actionalliance.org) – linked on The Lee Forum. Updates will be on the notice board in the Shop along with car stickers and even T-shirts! All support, financial and other, is welcomed by them.
The new Government petition against HS2 is also on The Lee Forum. Please do take the time to sign it – and urge and cajole anyone you know to do the same (www.gopetition.com/petitions/stop-hs2.html).
I am delighted by John Ford’s suggestion about a village group and look forward to seeing anyone who wishes to be involved at the next meeting arranged in the Parish Hall. There is a long battle ahead!