Scrap HS2 or we'll take you to court, Government told (From Bucks Free Press)

Scrap HS2 or we'll take you to court, Government told

12:09pm Tuesday 7th February 2012 in Amersham By James Nadal

SCRAP High Speed 2, or we are taking you to court, is the bold message campaigners are sending to the Government today.

Justine Greening, the Secretary for Transport, has been sent a formal letter asking her to reverse the decision to proceed or face judicial review.

The warning has been sent to the Conservative Minister by the leaders of two Conservative controlled councils.

Councillor Martin Tett is Leader of Buckinghamshire County Council, and Chairman of the 51m action group the alliance of councils opposing HS2.

He said: "We are taking this stance with regret.

"We would far rather that the Government had listened to the people of this country who have decisively rejected this massively expensive project and instead opted for the far better, cheaper and more quickly delivered alternative put forward by 51m.

“Communities in the Midlands and the north of England risk being bypassed and left to decline by HS2.

“We should be investing in our existing rail and road infrastructure across the entire country to bring jobs and growth now when it is needed.”

Councillor Ray Puddifoot, Vice-Chairman of 51m and Leader of the London Borough of Hillingdon added: “The consultation process was unfair and inadequate in many respects.

"Ordinary people whose lives and livelihoods will be severely affected between Birmingham and Manchester and Leeds were not even given an adequate chance to have their say.

“The whole project represents extremely poor value for money for the hard pressed UK taxpayer and it is right that we challenge the Government’s decision to progress with this misguided scheme.”

51m said it is not against high speed rail per se but believes its own alternative proposal would be cheaper, better and cause much less disruption.