We oppose the HS2 High Speed Rail link, because the business case is based on unrealistic assumptions, the environmental impact has not been assessed, it is not green, the strategic benefits are questionable, and the money could be better spent on other things.

Just released - tickets for the Stop HS2 convention on 29th June 2013.
Click here for more details and to buy tickets.

HS2 Ltd Consultation Events

 Posted by on May 21, 2013  No Responses »
May 212013
 

As part of the Phase 1 consultations which started last week, HS2 Ltd are holding a series of events. The first one is tomorrow at the Swiss Cottage Community Centre.

COMMUNITY FORUM AREA
VENUE
DATE

PRIMROSE HILL to KILBURN
Swiss Cottage Community Centre, 19 Winchester Road, London, NW3 3NR
Wednesday 22 May, 12-8pm

SOUTH RUISLIP to ICKENHAM
The Emerald Rooms, West End Road, South Ruislip, Middlesex, HA4 6QX
Thursday 23…   Continue Reading 

May 202013
 

Today is the last day of the HS2 Phase 2 Exceptional Hardship Scheme consultation. As you can see from below, you don’t have to write a long response, just get a response in. The email to send response to is HS2EHS@ipsos.com…   Continue Reading 
 
Please find below the official response to the Phase 2 Exceptional Hardship Scheme from Stop HS2 Ltd. It is not confidential. Try not to lose it this time!*

Reaction to the NAO report

 Posted by on May 19, 2013  4 Responses »
May 192013
 

On Thursday, the National Audit office issued a report on HS2…   Continue Reading , saying
“In an early examination of progress by the Department for Transport in planning for the High Speed 2 rail network, the National Audit Office has expressed reservations about the Department’s business case. In particular, in presenting its case for investment in the project, the Department is said to have poorly articulated the strategic need for a transformation

May 182013
 

The following was emailed to us by Doreen McIntyre of Harefield Against HS2: reproduced with permission. The files for particular areas can be downloaded from the HS2 Ltd website here.…   Continue Reading 
I’ve started wading through the Colne Valley section, which is full of howlers. Most immediately newsworthy are probably the photomontages which still show the viaduct with no pantograph. The line is also shown emerging through quite dense, undisturbed vegetation to

May 172013
 

Firstly, the Exceptional Hardship Consultation for Phase 2 ends on Monday 20th May. This was extended from the original deadline when Hs2 Ltd released documents – from 2010 – which were relevant to the Phase 2 consultation.
We urge everyone, even if not on directly effected by Phase 2, to respond to the consultation. People affected by the Phase 1 route have experience of the failings of the existing scheme…   Continue Reading 

May 162013
 

Just three days after Secretary of State for Transport Patrick McLoughlin presented a Paving Bill to Parliament which asks for a blank cheque for the HS2 project, the National Audit Office has produced a damning report into the project, which demonstrates the project will cost £53bn.
Key findings of the report include:

The timescales for the project are over-ambitious, which could lead to mistakes being made.
There is a £3.3bn…   Continue Reading 

May 152013
 
HS2 phase 1: 33 ancient woods condemned?

From the Woodland Trust…   Continue Reading .
With the imminent release of the draft Environmental Statement for the London to Birmingham phase of HS2, the Woodland Trust sets out its expectations for the document.
What is at risk?
On the phase 1 stretch of HS2 from London to Birmingham, at least 21 ancient woods, covering a combined area of 409ha, will suffer direct loss and a further 12 are at risk from

May 142013
 

The Government have published their High Speed Rail (Preparation) Bill, without saying how much extra money they actually want and asking that figures for actual spend on the project are not published until after the next election.
The Bill is required so that Parliament can give authority for more money to be spent on pre-construction activity, acquiring property, and providing compensation. Of course none of these items are new and…   Continue Reading 

May 132013
 

Campaigners are calling for MPs along the proposed route of HS2 to put their money where their mouth is, now it has been revealed that the HS2 Paving Bill is to be the first bill introduced into parliament following the Queens Speech. The first reading of the High Speed Rail (Preparation Bill), will actually take place before the first debate on the Queens speech on Monday 13th May.…   Continue Reading 
The speed