Cash fund to fight 'once in a lifetime' HS2 battle

Money will be pooled by Buckinghamshire County Council and other authorities affected by the proposals.

It follows confirmation that the Government intends the line to run through the Chilterns in heart of the county.

Funds will be used to co-ordinate the efforts of the several protest groups and for expert advice and legal costs.

BCC Leader Cllr David Shakespeare, said: "We have a once-in-a-lifetime battle on our hands with the prospect of HS2 cutting through the heart of our county.”

Experts help is needed and combining resources will make the opposition “ stronger” and “more cohesive”, he said.

In the light of severe cuts from the Government, leaving BCC to find about £90m of savings, the decision to provide funds "has not been easy”, Cllr Shakespeare said.

“Our dilemma is, quite simply, can we afford not to defend our countryside at a time when it is in such peril?” he said.

Although Cllr Shakespeare acknowledged those not affected may question the cash injection, he said: “We cannot stand by and allow swathes of our countryside to be decimated by HS2.

“It poses a threat to our unique and fragile Chiltern countryside, and to the way of life in many communities.

“Once gone, our environment will be damaged forever, and I believe we have a duty to fight to protect Buckinghamshire for future generations."

Transport supremo Cllr Val Letheren, described it as “flawed” and an “ill-conceived scheme”.

“It is hard to understand why the Minister is determined to press ahead with a £32bn project, which offers no single identifiable benefit at all, when public services in this country are being cut to the bone,” she said.

Cllr Lesley Clarke, Leader of Wycombe District Council, and Adrian Busby, Leader of South Bucks District Council, have pledged their support.

Last week WDC voted to back Wycombe MP Steve Baker's opposition to the plans, though some councillors said the idea of High Speed rail should not be “dismissed out of hand”.