THIRTY million pounds is to be set aside in benefits to communities living near the planned HS2 line - but opponents say that's not enough.

The money will be available in the form of grants from the Community and Environment Fund and the Business and Local Economy Fund.

It's intended to mitigate community projects and nature conservation work that will be adversely impacted by building work for the proposed high speed railway line.

But Buckinghamshire County Council's Leader Martin Tett said of the announcement: "To say that this is disappointing would be the understatement of the century."

Cllr Tett, who is also chairman of the 51m alliance campaign group comprised of local authorities affected by HS2, said: "HS2 Ltd have talked continually about the supposed benefits of this project to the economy in billions of pounds. Why can’t the residents and businesses whose lives and companies will suffer in perpetuity from the construction of this share a little in those benefits?

"The 51m alliance have been working on a figure for a proposed fund based on just £1m per km for the Phase 1 route, that would be £230m. This may sound like a lot but compared to the project cost of £50 billion it is little more than a ‘rounding error’.

"Phase 1 of HS2 will pass through 140 miles of English cities, towns and countryside causing damage to property, heritage, farms, ancient woodlands, playing fields, parks, tourism, highways networks, air quality, waterways, schools, cemeteries, the environment, the local economy and, most importantly; people. The landscape will be altered forever, not just by the line and stations themselves, but also by the associated invasive infrastructure."

Community groups, charities, non-governmental organisations and business support organisations will be able to bid for grants from the new funds, which are expected to be rolled out when construction starts in 2017, subject to the proposals being granted Royal Assent by Parliament.

The CEF will fund small scale community projects as well as larger schemes that have third party or match funding.

Meanwhile the BLEF will invite business groups to bring forward projects that will maintain business activity and employment in their areas, the government said.

Robert Goodwill, Under Secretary of State for Transport, said: "HS2 is crucial to the long-term prosperity of this country. It will free up space on our railways, cut journey times between our biggest cities and drive forward our economy for years to come.

"However, it’s only right we do all we can to help those living and working close to this vital railway. These new funds, totalling £30 million, are in addition to the comprehensive package of support we have already announced and will further help communities and businesses make the most of this once in a generation scheme and crucial part of the Government’s long-term economic plan."