CAMPAIGNERS GEAR UP TO MEET TRANSPORT SECRETARY
Transport Secretary Phillip Hammond will today hear the case being made against HS2 by campaigners as he begins a tour of the proposed route of HS2 today (22nd September). He will meet with MPs and campaigners in three parliamentary constituencies in this order;
Jeremy Wright (Kenilworth & Southam) 12pm-1pm (HTI, CV4 7EZ), Andrea Leadsom (South Northamptonshire) 3.30pm-4.30pm (Crown Hotel, Brackley NN13 7DP), Cheryl Gillan (Chesham & Amersham) 7.00-8.00pm (No Details)
In a joint statement, Stop HS2 campaigners Joe Rukin and Lizzy Williams (who will attend the first and second meetings respectively) said;
“We are really looking forward to putting our case, that there is no case for HS2 to Mr Hammond, and will be very interested to hear what he says. We have heard rumours that the DfT are starting to play down the environmental case, but will go heavier on the business case. They are certain to be interesting meetings.”
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“It is clear that there is a lot of public discord surrounding the plans and we are not surprised that following the release of details of the meetings individuals have decided to turn up to show him their displeasure. We have heard all sorts of rumours, such as coaches being booked and school trips being organised for Brackley. It will be interesting to see how many turn out for this peaceful protest. Stop HS2 has not organised any demonstrations, but when we became aware of them, we felt it only responsible to try and make sure people were clear of the legal and health and safety issues concerning unofficial protests.”
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Andrea Leadsom MP will be holding a public meeting at Brackley Town Hall (NN13 7AB) at 5pm, where she and Williams will provide an update as to the campaign in general and how the meeting with Mr Hammond went.
Williams will resume her walk of the entire route of HS2 at 11am on Thursday 23rd September in Wendover.
Notes to Editors:
- STOP HS2 is the national group campaigning on behalf of anti-HS2 action groups up and down the proposed route. See http://www.stophs2.org.
- The DfT has published new MORE DETAILED route maps. These can be found at http://www.stophs2.org/news/133-new-full-maps-out
- For more details contact Joe Rukin on 07811 371880 or Lizzy Williams on 07842 164880.
- Lizzy Williams will not be walking today, and will instead be attending other HS2 related events. For details of Lizzys walk call 07842 164880 or visit www.walkhs2.co.uk