High Speed 2 (HS2)

On 10th January 2012 the Secretary of State for Transport announced that the Government is to proceed with its plans for High Speed 2. It has made some changes from its earlier proposals, notably some increased provision for tunnelling along certain parts of the proposed line between London and Birmingham.

Councillor Roger Reed, South Bucks District Council’s Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Sustainable Development said “This coalition Government’s decision to proceed with this flawed scheme is plainly wrong and not sustainable. The proposals do not represent a sensible approach to making the much needed investment in our country’s transport infrastructure and clearly does not provide value for money in these difficult economic times. The business case lacks all commercial credibility, based as it is on unsustainable assumptions. Furthermore, the permanent damage that this unnecessary project will inflict upon our environment and our residents is significant.” Further information is available on "Coalition Government Railroads HS2 Through " press release.

The District Council had raised strong objections (word file) to the proposals during the consultation period in 2011. The Council will now, along with other local authorities who constitute the 51M group of local authorities, be considering its next steps. For further information see the 51M group website at www.51m.co.uk

Copies of the plans and various documents are available below:-

• The proposed route – map 5 covers the area in South Bucks
• High Speed Rail: Investing in Britain’s future – Decisions and Next Steps
• High Speed Rail; Investing in Britain’s Future – the Government’s decisions (summary document).

The Secretary of State’s decision also makes clear that the Government will develop options for a direct spur link from the main line to Heathrow airport. This would form part of phase 2 of the Government’s proposals, which would be the subject of an engagement programme in autumn 2012 to discuss local views and concerns, followed by formal consultation on the Government’s preferred route for phase 2 in early 2014.

As regards phase 1 (the main line), the Government is intending to undertake an engagement programme regarding environmental issues in spring 2012, followed by consultation on an Environmental Statement for phase 1 in spring 2013, and the subsequent introduction of a hybrid bill into Parliament at the end of 2013 to seek the necessary powers to construct and operate the railway.