HS2 petitioning process starts in earnest

Yesterday, the petitioning process connected to the HS2 Hybrid Bill, which is likely to take years began with HS2 Ltd setting out their stall. It will not be a surprise that the view given by the lawyers acting for HS2 Ltd is not one completely recognised by those who have had to deal with HS2 Ltd for the last four years.

Lowlights included:

• HS2 Ltd saying that the Birmingham Interchange station will ‘provide direct connections’ to the NEC, Birmingham Airport and Birmingham International, despite the station being located on the other side of the M42.
• HS2 Ltd said that 1918 petitions have been received against the Bill, despite the Parliamentary website saying the total is 1925.
• Amendments will be made to the Bill after the summer recess, based of the ‘HS2 Plus’ report, which pre-empted the Phase 2 consultation. When the amendments, known as ‘additional provisions’ are announced there will be a further chance to submit petitions on these changes.
• HS2 Ltd were honest enough to say “We make no claim that the Environmental Statement is a perfect document”
• They also admitted that The cost of HS2 “Is of considerable public interest”, before saying to the committee that they should not make changes which mean the Government “Pay more to deliver less”.
• The virtues of consultations and community forums were extolled, despite these being considered a sham.
• It was again claimed that route redesigns came about as a result as HS2 listening to communities, opposed to it being necessary following their poor design.
• HS2 Ltd actually said that HS2 has been designed to minimise the impact from the start.

Also, the timetable for hearing locus standi challenges has been announced (numbers are petition numbers). Please note, sessions may be pushed back if earlier ones run over.

Wednesday 9 July

9.30 am – 11.30 am

1591 HS2 Action Alliance Ltd

2.00 pm – 5.00 pm

1611 Stop HS2

1346 West London Line Group

1799 Graeme Phillips

Thursday 10 July

9.30 am – 12.30 pm

1007 Del Brenner

1579 Peter Mumford

1404 Sarah Chester

2.00 pm – 5.00 pm

1474 John Milner

1335 Quentin Macdonald/Colin Elliff

4 James Middleton

Wednesday 16 July

9.30 am – 11.30 am

1902 Rosemary Scott

1925 Jane Mahar

1423 Campaign for Better Transport

1758 Paul Braithwaite

1350 James Savage

2.00 pm – 5.00 pm

1392 Penelope Gaines

1609 John Marriott

1447 James Morrison

518 City of Stoke-on-Trent

Monday 21 July

11.00 am – 12.30 pm

1 Dr Christopher Eaglen