William Eichler 26 July 2022

Bucks backs down on HS2 routes after court loss

Bucks backs down on HS2 routes after court loss image
Image: F Armstrong Photography/Shutterstock.com.

Buckinghamshire Council will not appeal after the High Court backed a decision by planning inspectors to allow four ‘environmentally damaging’ lorry routes for HS2 construction traffic.

Under Schedule 17 of the High Speed Rail (London – West Midlands) Act 2017, HS2 Ltd is required to obtain approval for lorry routes from the relevant planning authority, but last year the council refused to make decisions on a number of cases, stating that it needed further information.

HS2 Ltd appealed to the Planning Inspectorate, which allowed its appeals. The council then applied to the High Court for judicial review, which considered the case in June and last week dismissed the application.

Cllr Steven Broadbent, the council’s cabinet member for transport, said: ‘We are bitterly disappointed with the result but the decision to go ahead and take these appeals to the High Court was always the right thing to do for our residents and communities.

‘Following robust counsel advice, we believe we had strong and very valid reasons to challenge the decisions of the Inspectors in allowing lorry routes to be used which will have an enormous and detrimental impact on our local roads.’

He added: ‘We have now met with our legal representatives to discuss next steps and after careful consideration we have decided not to appeal the decision.’

Cllr Broadbent said the council ‘will fully use the limited powers we have’, hold HS2 Ltd and its contractors to account, and work tirelessly to mitigate the impact of the construction and the project on local communities, environment and infrastructure.

The four lorry routes covered by the ruling are:

  • Small Dean Lane, Wendover to the strategic road network (SRN)
  • Small Dean Viaduct, Wendover to the SRN
  • Chiltern Tunnel North Portal to the SRN
  • three worksites at Little Missenden, Chesham and the North Portal to the SRN

This article originally appeared on Transport Network.

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Senior Project Manager (Regeneration)

West Yorkshire Combined Authority
£49,359 to £56,057 per annum (pay award pending) – Grade 9
With ambitious goals ahead, we need dedicated individuals who are ready to make a real impact as part of our expanding Housing team Leeds / Hybrid
Recuriter: West Yorkshire Combined Authority

Information Governance Officer

Essex County Council
£28349.00 - £33351.00 per annum + pension
Information Governance OfficerPermanent, Full Time£28,349 to £33,351 per annumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Information Governance Officer

Essex County Council
£28349.00 - £33351.00 per annum + pension
Information Governance OfficerFixed Term, Full Time£28,349 to £33,351 per annumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

HR Advisor - Pay & Policy (Career Grade)

Wakefield Council
Grade 9 - Grade 10, Career Grade, 24 hours, Permanent
Are you ready to make a difference and shape policies that foster a high performing and inclusive workplace? Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recuriter: Wakefield Council

Leisure Support Assistant

Wakefield Council
£12,013.50 - £12,202.00, Grade 3, 18.5 hours, Permanent
Are You Ready to Make a Difference in Your Community? Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recuriter: Wakefield Council
Linkedin Banner