Downing Street presented with 108,000 strong HS2 petition (From Bucks Free Press)
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Downing Street presented with 108,000 strong HS2 petition
1:53pm Wednesday 12th October 2011 in Cookham By James Nadal
Cllr Seb Berry of Great Missenden Stop HS2 organised the Stop HS2 petition delivery event at Number Ten on 11th October. He is pictured here with Joe Rukin and Penny Gaines of Stop HS2 and representatives of other action groups.
THE names of over 100,000 people who want to stop High Speed 2 have been presented to Downing Street.
Campaigners took the battle against the £33bn rail scheme, which would cut through Buckinghamshire's countryside heartland, directly to the Prime Minister's residence yesterday.
A petition, which has triggered a Parliamentary debate tomorrow, was given in to Westminster officials at 10 Downing Street.
Chiltern District Councillor Seb Berry, elected as an independent in May in Great Missenden on his anti-HS2 stance, was one of two Bucks represenatives out of the six strong delegation in London.
He said: "Well over 100,000 people signed Stop HS2s petition, showing the huge depth and range of opposition to the scheme.
“I was very proud to represent Great Missenden at this important event.
“All eyes are now on Thursday's Commons debate.
“It's vital that Great Missenden and Chesham and Amersham constituency has a voice in that debate.”
But he cast doubt over whether MP Cheryl Gillan, a member of the Government's Cabinet, would speak out during the debate.
Mrs Gillan has opposed the scheme publicly, however.
Also presenting the petition, which had about 108,000 signatures, were Tory MPs Dan Byles, Andrea Leadsom and Chris White.
Green Party Leader and MP Caroline Lucas, and Labour MPs Jim Cunningham and Geoffrey Robinson sent messages of support but could not attend due to Parliamentary business.
