HS2 Hybrid Bill Select Committee visit to HOAC
Earlier today, the HS2 Hybrid Bill Committee issued a statement on the case for a Colne Valley Tunnel. The current plans include a viaduct over the lakes at the Hillingdon Outdoor Activities Centre (HOAC). Unfortunately, in the same week that Additional Provisions show that moving the Heathrow Express Depot to Slough to make room for HS2 will cost £215 million and blight numerous more people, the Committee decided that spending £200 million to reduce blight for many thousands wasn’t worth it
Based just inside the M25 on the green belt, north of Uxbridge, HOAC’s idyllic site has flourished over the years and now features a stunning 46 acre lake, fields, woodlands, a campsite, pedal karting track, archery range, climbing complex, boat hire facilities and more. Around 22,000 young people come to HOAC each year, central London and Reading as well as more locally to take part in activities ranging from kayaking to caving, as well as numerous others, making it a vital community asset.
Hillingdon Council commissioned two independent studies which were published earlier this year, one looking at the real costs of the effects of the HS2 plans for Hillingdon, the other looking at alternative options to the viaduct.
According to the reports, there are huge technical benefits from tunnelling, as well as significantly less impact on the environment, communities and businesses in the Colne Valley.
However, the HS2 Hybrid Bill committee statement shows that the cost of a new tunnel outweighs any possible long or short teem benefit to the people in the area, claiming
“Estimates of the net additional cost of a tunnel over a viaduct generally exceeded £200m, although there was disagreement on how to arrive at an appropriate assessment. We do not direct further studies because we doubt that these would converge on a figure significantly less than £200m.”
However, although petitioners on the route have had years to prepare themselves for petitioning, affected people and businesses in Slough have a matter of weeks, following the announcement in late June of the moving of the Heathrow Express depot from the Old Oak Common area to Slough,to prepare and submit their petitions, with a deadline of Friday 14th August.
It must have been clear to HS2 Ltd and the Department for Transport for some months that they would need to move the Heathrow Express Depot, but there has been no community engagement with local MP, Fiona Taggart saying that it came as a “shock” to the local council. Moving the depot will cost £215 million and blight numerous more people.
Adonis got the route and reasons wrong and failed to persuade the House of Lords. The SOS Transport is desparate to avoid Labour turning against the extravagant wasteful and poorly planned HS2. Burnham does not know what he wants. Another person who is unsure of national priorities making condradictory statements to appeal to factions.
Adonis non-Executive Director who got HS2 wrong for the nation and wrong for the economy and wrong for rail transport needs.
How pathetic is this group of MPS among MPs. With a pointless HS2 route and pointless engagements of the Select Committee the UK is exhibiting ineffectiveness for this badly planned railway. Career politicians that have not been in the real world. No wonder Bercow’s wife allegedly cannot stand life in the Westminster Village deviod of the means to improve the environment.
The Select Committee and DFT/HS2 shows continually the most pathetic reactions to requests. Hopefully Cameron and Osborne will come unstuck this Parliament and a vote of no confidence will result in more changes than the Select Committee have mustered to-date. Time to increase the number of petitions for Additional Provisions including those options this Select Committee pretended to assess superficially and people and communities want.
Well there is a surprise! If we cost it outrageously enough, we can say that it is not a viable option because it is too expensive and blow the local inhabitants (including wildlife).
It is sad that it is so transparently obvious to all but those in charge!