Bucks businessmen say no to High Speed 2 (From Bucks Free Press)

Bucks businessmen say no to High Speed 2

10:20am Thursday 17th March 2011 in News By James Nadal

BUSINESSMEN in Buckinghamshire have voted overwhelmingly against High Speed 2, following a debate.

More than 120 business bosses were surveyed after a two hour discussion.

A panel giving varying perspectives on the £33bn project met on Friday for the Buckinghamshire Chamber of Commerce HS2 Debate.

87 per cent said they did not agree with the Government's proposals for the phased roll-out of a national high speed rail network, and for links to Heathrow Airport and to the High Speed 1 line to the Channel Tunnel.

Furthermore, 92 per cent said they disagreed with the Government’s proposed route, including the approach for mitigating its impacts, being the best option for a new high speed rail line between London and the West Midlands.

During the debate Cllr Martin Tett said the proposal would be thrown out if presented to the multimillionaires on BBC 2's Dragons' Den.

HS2's Ian Jordan insisted it would boost the economy and provide essential extra capacity on the rail network.

See related articles for more details on the debate.

Christina Howell, Head of External Affairs, Thames Valley Chamber, agreed with the results of the poll.

She said: “We believe that the national priority should be improved digital infrastructure and from a Thames Valley perspective, western access to Heathrow.

“We shall be making our view known at the British Chambers of Commerce National Conference in April.”