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COMMENT


A debate on HS2 held in Aylesbury came out mostly against the proposed route, reports Ginette Gower, head of communications at Thames Valley Chamber of Commerce.


O


ver 120 business people in Buckinghamshire gathered at the


Aylesbury Waterside Theatre on Friday March 11 2011 to take part in a debate about the proposed High Speed 2 route from London to Birmingham.


The event, organised by Buckinghamshire Chamber of Commerce (part of the Thames Valley Chamber of Commerce Group), featured views from a panel representing local authorities, business groups and the Government. As all three proposed routes travel through Aylesbury Vale, the location of the debate was highly appropriate.


The Chamber decided to host and facilitate the debate, knowing that this was a highly sensitive issue for Buckinghamshire in particular and the event was timed to fol- low the Department for Transport’s com- mencement of the HS2 public consultation period.


The proposed route to Birmingham has been redrawn to incorporate changes to around 65 out of the 127 miles of its length. For example, between Amersham and Wendover, a green bridge and a green tun- nel have been incorporated. At the historic Hartwell House in Bucks, the line will not now be visible from the house itself.


The delegates were a mixture of Chamber members, local businesses in Aylesbury Vale and the Chilterns and representatives for HS2 for and against lobby groups.


The panel each gave a five-minute pres- entation on their individual positions, fol- lowed by questions from the audience. The debate was independently moderated by Roy Sheppard to ensure the debate kept to the allotted time of two hours.


Some of the points made in favour in- cluded the fact that the transport network will eventually reach capacity, and because lead times are so long for construction, planning needs to take place now; that demand for rail travel is growing; that HS2 would boost the economy, shift from road/air to rail and reduce journey times; and that HS2 is as much about capacity as it is about speed. It would deliver a huge increase in rail capacity to meet rising de- mand for long-distance rail travel and ease overcrowding on existing railways.


22 | rail technology magazine Feb/Mar 11


But many points were also made against, including:


• •


• • • •


Neither the business nor environmental case is justified; The tranquillity and beauty of the Chilterns will be compromised, con- struction would cause a high level of disruption, it would damage the envi- ronment and tourism; HS2 would have no significant impact on closing the regional divide as 75% of new jobs created would be in London. The right choices about infrastructure investment should benefit the largest number of people; The need for travel is reducing due to technology like video conferencing and the internet use so the Government should be investing in other areas and spread across different high-return projects; High-speed travel is not really necessary; the proposed 250mph means no inter- mediary stops and the station would be outside the centre of Birmingham, add- ing to perceived travel time; and The UK’s east/west connectivity needs to be put first.


Following this, delegates were invited to submit answers to two questions. The first asked: ‘Do you agree with the Government’s


proposals for the phased roll-out of a na- tional high-speed rail network, and for links to Heathrow Airport and to the High Speed 1 line to the Channel Tunnel?’ The result of this vote was a majority of 87% against HS2.


The second question: ‘Do you agree that the Government’s proposed route, includ- ing the approach proposed for mitigating its impacts, is the best option for a new high speed rail line between London and the West Midlands?’ The result of this vote was a majority of 92% against the route.


Christina Howell, head of external affairs at the Thames Valley Chamber, agreed with the outcome and commented: “We believe that the national priority should be improved digital infrastructure and from a Thames Valley perspective, western ac- cess to Heathrow. We shall be making our view known at the British Chambers of Commerce National Conference in April.”


The consultation on HS2 is now avail- able with a ministerial decision expected by December. Roadshows are planned throughout Buckinghamshire to inform lo- cal residents and businesses of the plans.


FOR MORE INFORMATION Visit www.thamesvalleychamber.co.uk


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