Councils from across Bucks have issued a joint statement, calling on the Government to delay HS2 works until the detailed design has been properly approved and the full cost of the scheme has been made clear.

Chiltern District Council and Aylesbury Vale Council have already agreed a special motion at their respective council meetings, calling on the Government to pause current site work until the ‘Notice to Proceed’ has been approved.

South Bucks District Council will also write to HS2, expressing similar concerns.

A Notice to Proceed is only granted when the management capability, robustness of the revised business case and affordability of contracts have been approved. Currently, no Notice to Proceed has been granted, with the official go-ahead having been pushed back to the end of the year.

Early HS2 works were labelled last week as an environmental crime scene, as contractors began removing vegetation and netting hedgerows.

Major utility works, roadworks and ground investigation are also currently being conducted.

Council leaders said in a joint statement that: “there is absolutely no justification why the County's residents should suffer significant disruption and long-term environmental destruction while things remain so unclear.

“It’s massively disruptive to have HS2 contractors trampling all over the County doing preparatory work without the final scheme details even being known. Some of the current work is also extremely controversial and is creating significant issues locally. As a result, Councils also want HS2 Ltd to significantly improve the effectiveness of its community engagement with all those impacted by the line.

“If the Crossrail scheme is anything to go by, then it is clear that HS2 is definitely far from on time and on budget. As a result, the councils will be asking for a proper review to be undertaken before any further taxpayer funding is committed.

In response, HS2 said: "HS2 is real and happening. With over 7,000 jobs supported by the project we currently have 62 live sites, servicing over 250 work locations.

“The design for HS2 has been set by an Act of Parliament and the project continues to enjoy cross party support, with the Phase One Bill receiving a majority of 357 votes from MPs in favour.

“There is a huge amount of work going on to prepare for the main works. This includes land clearance, habitat creation, tree planting, demolitions, archaeology, road improvement works, utility diversions and compound creation.

"All mitigation work complies with environmental standards, and we follow established best practice guidelines.

“Notice to proceed will happen this year, when we are ready.”