Chilterns’ future could be derailed in 2012 (From Bucks Free Press)

Chilterns’ future could be derailed in 2012

6:20pm Saturday 31st December 2011 in Comment

THE coming year could potentially herald in one of the most disastrous eras in the history of Bucks if the Government decides to press ahead with its High Speed 2 rail project.

In the next month, transport secretary Justine Greening is expected to make a decision over whether to proceed with the plan that threatens to run a railtrack through our Chiltern heartland.

It is widely thought a slight concession may be made to the protests – an extra mile-and-a-half of tunnel near Amersham. But that is hardly going to be enough to placate the massive groundswell of opinion ready to fight this plan at every turn.

And these impassioned campaigners should take heart from other recent displays of people power in south Bucks.

Last year the much-derided Booker stadium plan was shot down after a fiercely fought campaign by impassioned protesters who left no doubt as to the strength of their feelings against the scheme. And the war to keep Holywell Mead swimming pool open was eventually won through the dogged determination of the public.

The anti-HS2 campaigners have certainly proved they have no shortage of passion and invention over the last two years, with protest songs, economic and conservation arguments and a range of high-profile demonstrations. And they are right.

If High Speed 2 is given the go-ahead, the consequences hardly bear thinking about. Swathes of precious countryside will be torn up to make way for a train line that doesn’t even stop in the county.

Lets hope that a happy and prosperous 2012 lies in store for all of us – and a year that sees people power once again put a decisive end to an unpopular scheme.