A BUCKS MP has slammed the HS2 railway project for causing "abject misery for those affected by its construction".

Aylesbury's Rob Butler made comments in the House of Commons earlier this month claiming the project continues to create 'constant disruption in Buckinghamshire'. 

He said: "The building work that is now underway inflicting enormous damage on our beautiful countryside, causes traffic chaos and gridlock on our roads, and creates noise for those living near its works.

"I have always been clear that HS2 Ltd must live up to its promise to be a good neighbour and provide the best possible mitigation for the towns and villages on the line of route.

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"My constituents constantly contact me about the poor behaviour of HS2 and the impact it has on their daily lives. Local businesses have noticed reduced footfall in town centres. One hairdresser in Aylesbury told me that appointments are frequently being missed at her salon because so many people are stuck in the traffic jams caused by HS2. Missed appointments mean lost revenue."

HS2 is Britain's new high-speed rail line being built from London to the North-West, with HS2 trains linking the biggest cities in Scotland. 

The project is set to be completed between 2029 and 2033, depending on approval for later stages.

HS2 minister Huw Merriman responded to his comments and said: "Through their programme of innovation, they are leaving a legacy of improvements across the construction industry and providing a breadth of opportunities for local communities up and down the country. HS2 in particular is supporting over 29,000 jobs, and local places are already identifying opportunities to use it to support the delivery of more jobs, homes, investment and economic growth.

"Over 1,100 apprentices have been recruited on the HS2 programme since February 2017, and more than 2,500 businesses from across the UK have delivered work on HS2. More than 97% of the HS2 supply chain is UK-registered, and more than 60% is made up of small and medium-sized enterprises."

A spokesperson for HS2 Ltd said: “We are working hard to reduce disruption during the construction and Buckinghamshire is already benefiting from more than £3.6m in community funding.

"We have reduced the number of lorries on local roads by delivering material by rail and the use of temporary internal access roads. Once complete, HS2 will transform journeys across the UK, providing zero carbon transport from day one, while freeing up space on the existing rail network for more freight and local services.”