For many years the HS2 proposals for a high speed rail link connecting London to Birmingham and the North have caused controversy across rural Buckinghamshire. Individual homeowners, local communities, businesses, villages and towns have all been affected by the proposals.
The case for the high speed rail link focuses on the new line being able to offer the capacity needed to meet the increased demand for long distance rail, freight and commuting. Journey times would be cut and companies would find it easier to network, recruit workers, find customers, specialise and become more productive.
But due to the uncertainty of the route and timescales for the development, which may take up to a decade, many have been affected by the plans. The National Audit office has now reviewed the proposals and raised questions about the economic benefits of the link as well as the level of funding that may be required, intimating there could be a £3.3 billion black hole in the cost of construction. Across the county action groups will be encouraged by the report which seems to support many of the arguments against the proposals and casts doubt over the viability of current plans.
However, ministers have fought back. They feel they have made good progress recently, announcing the full route up to Leeds and Manchester, being successful in recent legal challenges against the project and putting two Bills into the Queen’s Speech.
Currently in the HS2 corridor, the project is making things tricky for people whose homes lie just outside the compulsory purchase zone due to the uncertainty of the works. There is going to be major traffic disruption when the work starts and, in the meantime, the route has moved a number of times. Whilst there is no firm start date and lots of objection, it is delaying many people’s plans to move, even those who may be marginally affected.
There's a lot of money at risk here, and people's homes and lives too. The first train is due to run in 13 years’ time. There will be many, many more arguments before then.
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