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Chiltern Society HS2 newsletter
August 2011
My apologies for the length of this month’s e-mail. I thought August would be quiet.
With the end of the Consultation, we need to concentrate on lobbying MPs away from the line, making them aware of the weakness of the economic and business cases, the risks to National Parks and AONBs, the length of time it will take before any capacity is added. Please talk to family and friends away from the line, and persuade them to talk to their MPs. It is essential we raise awareness before Mr Hammond is due to make his decision on whether this route will be pursued.
Consultation
South East Forum for Sustainability
See
SEFS response to the Consultation. They are also calling for a
National Transportation Plan.
sefs.org.uk/transport/sefs…
Greengauge21 propose changes to HS2
Greengauge21, pro HS2 lobby group published on 15 Aug a supplementary response to the Consultation. Surprisingly this report is recommending substantial changes to the HS2 design, with electrifying the Midland Main Line (MML), and providing HSR services to the East Midlands and Yorkshire, using Crossrail for current commuter services to Euston, thus reducing the scope of changes and cost in redeveloping Euston.
In my opinion this reinforces our argument that we need to sort out a National Transport Infrastructure Plan before gambling £32bn on getting the route right initially. It also highlights how HS2 currently fails to deliver any benefits for years to the highly populated areas of Nottingham, Leicester, Derby and South Yorkshire.
I
believe a discussion of their ideas and other route options would
deliver a better alignment. greengauge21.net/news/high-…
greengauge21.net/wp-content…
A view on HS2 from Knight Frank & Rutley
Petition against HS2
The
Government have changed the rules on Petitions to Parliament. They
now require the petition to be online on their own website. HS2
protesters had already collect over 100,000 signatures on paper and
e-mail. Those voters without e-mail have been effectively
disenfranchised. See report in The Independent.
independent.co.uk/new…
Please use the following link to add your vote, and ask friends and family to add theirs. The link is also on the CS website. epetitions.direct.gov.uk/.…
It would also help to contact your MP about the disenfranchisement of voters. You can contact him here: writetothem.com/…
Transport Select Committee
On Monday 6th Sept the TSC is taking evidence from the CPRE, Chilterns Conservation Board and the National Trust. Also from the aviation industry and Wales and Scotland.
On
13 Sept, HS2 Limited and Philip Hammond will be giving evidence.
parliament.uk/business/…
51m
Three
Rivers District Council and Oxfordshire County Council are the latest
recruits to 51m the alliance of Councils against HS2.
51m.co.uk/news/three-rivers…
Bucks
Herald (10 Aug 11) Report
on spending on the campaign against HS2 entitled 'Thousands
spent on HS2'. bucksherald.co.uk/news/local…
China and HSR
China’s trials and tribulations with HSR continue.
China recalls 54 bullet trains for safety reasons. uk.news.yahoo.com/china…
Grim Financial Outlook for China’s HSR
The
railways are running at a loss with unstable debt. Perhaps Phillip
Hammond and George Osborne should read this article.
wantchinatimes.com/…
Daily Telegraph 11 Aug 11
China
Stops Work on HSR.
telegraph.co.uk/news/…
Miscellaneous Articles
Bucks Free Press – 5 August 2011
MEP James Elles hits out at Nimbyism charge by Hammond
bucksfreepress.co.uk/news/9178971.DfT_denies…
BBC – 3 Aug 11
MEP urges East Coast route for high-speed rail link. David Campbell Bannerman, East of England MEP claims that following the East Coast Mainline will be quicker easier and reduce air traffic quicker. See video clip:www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk…
Daily Telegraph – 27 Aug !1
Tory
MPs Unhappy.
telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/…
The Berwick Advertiser – 8 Aug 11
A
view from Berwick on Tweed.
berwick-advertiser.co.uk/…
The Journal – 4 August 2011
North
East MPs losing faith in high-speed future.
journallive.co.uk/north-east…
UKIP against HS2
Leader
Nigel Farage condemns HS2 for butchering Buckinghamsire.
ukip.org/content/latest-news…
HS2 flawed, say Tory MPs
Conservative
Transport Group believe that HS2 should follow M40.
building.co.uk/sectors/infra…
Bidding for HS2 Contracts
Spanish
Company forming joint venture with Capita Symonds.
building.co.uk/sectors/infra…
Designs for Old Oak Common Station
Designed by Sir Terry Farrell as part of Hammersmith & Fulhams submission to the Consulation. Hammersmith & Fulham Council are backing HS2, as they see the opportunity to redevelop Old Oak on the cheap.
Hammond’s
instructions to HS2 Limited
As
reported on 26 July 2011, Hammond is going full steam ahead on lining up
consultants for the next stage of developing the Preferred Route.
hs2.org.uk/assets/x/78473
Bidding for HS2 Contracts
Spanish
Company forming joint venture with Capita Symonds.
building.co.uk/sectors/…
BBC – 11 Aug 11
Rail
Overcrowding worst on GWML. This
report is interesting as it confirms that the WCML is not the most
crowded route in the UK, and highlights the need to upgrade the
existing railway.
bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england…
Bucks Advertiser – 12 Aug 11
HS2
Campaigner pokes fun at Cameron.
prestwood.buckinghamshire…
Professional Engineering – 10 Aug 11
£28m track unblocks freight
bottleneck. Report
on eliminating a pinchpoint near Nuneaton, which means that with
guage clearance high containers can go straight from Felixstowe to
Nuneaton without having to go via North London. A lesson for Hammond
and Osborne on the effectiveness of resolving ‘pinchpoints’.
profeng.com/news/28m-track…
BBC Surrey – 3 Aug 11
Strategy
Director from Supporter to Sceptic.
bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england…
Wales Online – 5 Aug 11
Former
Labour Council Leader in Bridgend supports Cheryl Gillan.
walesonline.co.uk/news/…
Evening Standard – 3 Aug 11
High-speed rail is the fastest
way to waste billions. Article
questions the business case.
thisislondon.co.uk/standard/…
Evening Standard – 4 Aug 11
Motorists doubt purpose of high-speed rail. AA
Poll says motorists more concerned about cost than speed.
thisislondon.co.uk/standard/…
Uxbridge Express – 17 Aug 11
Yes
to HS2 can’t keep it up.
uxbridgegazette.co.uk/west…
Estates Gazette – 17 Aug 11
Pete Waterman calls for HS2 to Crewe. Now
we see where Pete is coming from, he is on the Local Enterprise Board
for Crewe.
egi.co.uk/articles/2011/08/17/…
The Guardian – 27 Aug 11
Transport
policy independence for cities in economic growth plan. This
is an interesting take on localism. Perhaps the Government should
cancel HS2 to provide funds for cities in the North and Midlands to
connect themselves with HSR. Of course this might need a National
Transportation Plan to stop the squabbling.
guardian.co.uk/society/2011/…
Chiltern Society DVD
We have DVD's in stock. Cost £5.00 + p&p. Please follow one of the links in this website to buy one.
If there are other areas you would like us to cover please .
John Gladwin
HS2 Campaign Action Team
