Newsletter 64 - 8 June 2015
IMPORTANT CHILTERN COUNTRYSIDE GROUP UPDATE ON PETITIONING AND HS2
Dear supporters,
We have just been advised of some important developments in the petitioning process for HS2 and the Hybrid Bill.
THURSDAY 11 JUNE 2015 MPs FROM THE TRANSPORT SELECT COMMITTEE WILL VISIT CHILTERNS
Starting from Wendover Station at 9.15am on Thurs 11 June, MPs from the Transport Select Committee will visit the area of the Chilterns and its AONB which lie within the MP, David Lidington's constituency.
A full timetable of their itinerary is attached, or can be accessed:
Amersham STOPHS2 has a useful webpage, which they aim to update if events change. http://www.hs2amersham.org.uk/Events/SCVisit_1.html
Anyone may join the visit at any point but we would suggest advisable to access on foot or car-share where you can.
IT IS ESSENTIAL THAT AS MANY RESIDENTS AS POSSIBLE SHOW UP SO THE COMMITTEE GET A POSITIVE VIEW,
NOT ONLY OF OUR BELOVED COUNTRYSIDE, BUT OF THE STRENGTH OF FEELING AND SUPPORT WITHIN THE COMMUNITY TO PROTECT IT.
THE CCG is petitioning for a fully bored tunnel throughout the AONB. The local Councils, some Action Groups, the Chiltern Conservation Board and other conservation bodies have the same stance.
THIS IS PROBABLY OUR LAST CHANCE TO INFLUENCE PARLIAMENT AND ACHIEVE CHANGES.
DATES FOR TSC HEARING PETITIONS FROM CHILTERNS FOR TUNNEL
We will keep you posted on these but we expect to be called soon.
PROMOTER'S RESPONSE DOCUMENT TO THE CCG PETITON:
The CCG has now received HS2 Ltd's Response Document to our petition. If you would like sight of this, or have specific questions, do please get in touch. We will be referring to this (PRD) in our oral petition before the TSC.
TSC FIRST REPORT ON HS2 PUBLISHED
The Select Committee on the High Speed Rail (London – West Midlands) Bill has published its First Special Report of Session 2014–15 which summarises the interim decisions and observations of the Select Committee on the High Speed 2 Phase One hybrid bill. The HS2 Committee has been hearing petitions from those specially and directly affected by the High Speed Rail (London – West Midlands) Bill.
This report summarises the decisions and interim observations of the Select Committee on the High Speed 2 Phase One hybrid bill, prior to the general election of May 2015. The Committee's first meeting took place on 6 May 2014.
The report is intended to be helpful to those involved in the hybrid bill process and also includes suggestions to petitioners on how to present petitions effectively and efficiently. The pre-election Committee has made a number of suggestions for changes to the proposed scheme, with which the new committee will wish to review progress.
Robert Syms, Chair of the Select Committee on the High Speed Rail (London – West Midlands) Bill, said:
"We hope this report will be of assistance to petitioners and to others involved in this process. This is not the Committee's final word on these issues but presents a useful opportunity for the Committee to summarise our interim decisions and observations. Our priority is a working 'Need to Sell' scheme."
MORE INFORMATION:
Further information on petitioning and proposals for a fully bored tunnel throughout the length of the Chilterns AONB can be found on the Chiltern District Council and Bucks County Council websites. If you would find it helpful to attend a workshop on petitioning, CDC are holding 3 separate workshops over the next few weeks and details of these can be obtained from the Council HS2 team.
All good wishes,
Steering Group/HS2 Working Party
Chiltern Countryside Group