AVDC opposes High Speed rail network

Archived press release

Date Published: 19/03/10

A number of the options come through Aylesbury Vale.

AVDC's cabinet met on 12 April for its first discussion about the proposal to build a High Speed rail link from London to Birmingham.

A number of the options, including HS2’s preferred route, come through Aylesbury Vale. A formal consultation on the preferred route will take place in autumn 2010.

At its meeting on 12 April, the cabinet agreed that based upon the information and evidence currently available, it opposes the suggested proposals for a High Speed rail network.

Leader of the Council, Councillor John Cartwright, said: “We’ve plotted the route through Aylesbury Vale and we’re dismayed at the negative impact this could have on our district. Large sections of the line would be by viaducts or on embankments, leaving little scope for reducing the noise level or visual impact.

Aylesbury Vale may not have large swathes of Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, but it does have wonderful rolling countryside, fantastic views and landscapes, which give it its name. Many villages and wonderful properties from Wendover in the south to Tingewick in the north of the Vale would be affected by this route if it goes ahead.”

He added: “As a major growth area with challenging housing and job targets set by the government, it’s even more galling that the route proposed wouldn’t even stop in any part of our district, so there is not even an economic benefit for the Vale. The government has set out a very ambitious timetable for opening the line but we are putting them on notice now that they are in for a very long fight.”

The cabinet also has significant concerns about the Exceptional Hardship Scheme. Over the next few weeks, it will be agreeing its response to the consultation but some of the key points it will be making are:

• The scheme should include industrial/commercial properties (including agricultural premises and land, particularly those with livestock), second homes and buy to let homes.
• The scheme should apply to all suggested routes – “preferred” and “preferred
alternatives”.
• “Close vicinity” should be clearly defined.

Public consultation timetable

March 2010 - Government published proposals for HS2 and issued Exceptional Hardship Scheme consultation

The government said it will be undertaking a full public consultation in autumn 2010 with the key dates as follows:

Before autumn 2010 - further engagement work and pre-consultation discussion.

Autumn 2010 - formal public consultation

2011 - government decides whether to proceed with the proposed route from London to Birmingham

2011-2013 - further detailed design and assessment of the route

2013 - further public consultation

2014 - Hybrid Bill laid in House of Commons

2019 - construction could start

2026 - line between London and Birmingham could open.

You can see more information about the proposals, including the maps on the Department for Transport link below.

Downloads:

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High Speed Two leaflet		2.7MB 56Kbps Modem: 6 Minutes Broadband : Less than 1 Minute