A tunnel would mean moving a construction compound like this one seen in Spain into the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty
All constituents wanted to do was present the Welsh Secretary with a petition which has been drawn up since the announcement to delay any decision on proceeding with HS2. Prior to the delay being confirmed, it had been reported in the press that Gillan had worked hard for an extra mile and a half of tunnel in The Chilterns, which would cost about another half-billion pounds, and may be paid for by downgrading environmental protections elsewhere.
Now, the tunnel proposal has been universally accepted as a spectacular own-goal, as it would not only mean HS2 would cause more damage in more places and cost more money, it would actually mean more damage in the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Beauty, as the tunnel construction compound would have to move into the AONB.
A petition had been drawn up which states: “We the undersigned object to the principle, cost and route of HS2 and demand the Secretary of State cancel the project forthwith.” However the planned delivery of the petition was postponed after Mrs Gillan’s office refused to confirm the hours of her surgery.
Seb Berry, Independent Councillor and campaign co-ordinator for Great Missenden Stop HS2 said: “Local people have been incensed by last weekend’s national media reports suggesting that the prospect of an additional tunnel west of Amersham would be enough to buy off local opposition to the scheme. The protest was held to remind our constituency MP that local people expect her to be arguing against HS2 right up to the final decision date in January.”
“We were disappointed that we could not present the petition, but Great Missenden Stop HS2 will now be handing the petition to Cheryl Gillan at a private meeting with her confirmed for Friday 16th December. We are therefore keeping the petition open until 15th December. If you have not yet signed the petition and would like to do so, please email seb_berry@hotmail.com by next Thursday 15th including your full postal address.”
Shirley Judges, Chairman of Great Missenden Stop HS2, said: “The impression has been given that the tunnel extension solves the problems of the Chilterns AONB. It doesn’t. What it means is that the tunnel will emerge in the middle of the AONB and there will still be seven miles of cuttings and viaducts beyond it. It will still irreparably scar the AONB and and it is still a wasteful and unnecessary project.”
The assembled crowd were then entertained by Dirty Mavis members Martin Davis and David Brown, joining in with the chorus of The Oak Tree Lament (Did you Stop the HS2?) in the hope that their MP might hear them.
You can also order the track for download direct to your mobile phone by texting TRACK 7655 m to 80818. Costs will vary depending on your data download plan.
The song will become available to pre-order on music retailing websites over the coming week before the launch on December 19th, ready for a big push in the Christmas chart battle. You will be able to buy it more than once if you like and send gift copies via email. More details to follow at www.oaktreelament.org.uk
The song will also be performed live at the Stop HS2 Christmas Party on Saturday 17th December at Lacey Green Village Hall. Tickets will be £10 including a buffet, and need to be booked in advance as numbers are restricted. Contact Roger Waller on 01296 623675 or rogerdunsmore@aol.com
Don’t play into their NIMBY game by accepting an Amersham tunnel – the arguments go far beyond local interests: viability, no need for HS2, costs, better existing transport options, environmental impact nationally, nonsensical idea that this will revitalise “The North”, and so much more. This is cheap politicking – what else would you expect of our crass government(s)?!
Say No to HS2.
John, The result of their analysis of Consultation responses was to have been this month,but they’ve never intimated that they’d be published.I,for one,think they should,even if it means removing names on confidentiality grounds.Also fail to see why we have to wait another month for this information,which has nothing to do with new tunnels and “feasibility studies.”
I’ve tried to find out when the result of the consultation is to be published but with no joy—does anyone know please or will it be at the same time as the announcement?
@John
My understanding is that the Ministerial statement to Parliament (although the Minister will obviously address the House of Commons directly) now scheduled for mid January 2012 will include a response to the Consulation process and the decision of the govt regarding the future progress (or cancellation) of the HS2 project. After all, the consultation process was in itself a means of conveying the details of the preferred route and asking the public to respond to those plans.
The announcement will include a variety of details, not just the outline decision on whether to proceed or not. For example, it will include a summary of the consultation responses, their number and general content. The written summary will certainly provide more detail than her spoken statement (reading it all out would require many hours!).
I expect her statement to the House to include (as a bare minimum);
1. A decision to proceed with HS2, along the currently preferred ROUTE3 option
2. Details of any significant changes to the scheme, this will certainly include the plan to link up two existing tunnels in the Amersham area into one longer tunnel
3. Details of any significant changes to timescales
4. Details of any significant budgetary changes
5. Details of any significant changes to mitigation factors
6. Details of any significant changes to compensation schemes/compulsory purchase criteria and/or policy