Chris Ames 15 November 2021

Bucks takes dispute over HS2 lorry routes to court

Bucks takes dispute over HS2 lorry routes to court image

Buckinghamshire Council has issued High Court challenges against six decisions by the Planning Inspectorate in a dispute over lorry routes for HS2 construction.

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 in six cases the council refused to make decisions, stating that it needed further information.

HS2 Ltd appealed to Planning Inspectorate, which allowed all six appeals.

Steven Broadbent, Buckinghamshire’s cabinet member for transport, said: ‘Following counsel advice, we believe we have a strong reason to challenge the decisions of the inspector in allowing the lorry routes to be used, which will have an enormous and detrimental impact on our local roads.

‘The council had sought further information considered necessary to carry out our statutory duty to assess the impacts of the proposed routes.’

A spokesperson for HS2 Ltd said: ‘We are working hard to reduce disruption for local communities and road users during the construction of HS2. This includes creating our own temporary internal access roads to get heavy vehicles onto site, and using freight trains to deliver materials, but we also need to use certain main roads.

‘That is why we are also delivering a programme of junction improvements across the county and have made a £3.9m road safety fund available to the council.’

HS2 Ltd successfully appealed against the non-determination of applications relating to Brackley Road and the Wendover Green Tunnel.

A separate inspector dealt with appeals relating to:

  • 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

Photo: Simon Vayro / Shutterstock.com

This article first appeared on Transport Network

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Family Worker (Link Role)

Essex County Council
£31931.00 - £36423.00 per annum + + 26 Days Leave & Local Gov Pension
Family Worker (Link Role)Permanent, Full Time£31,931 to £36,423 per annumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Assistant Manager

Wakefield Council
£42,839 to £46,142, Grade 10.
We have fantastic opportunity available for a Residential Children’s Home Assistant Manager. Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recuriter: Wakefield Council

Council Tax Officers - North Lincolnshire Council

North East Lincolnshire Council
Grade 6 - £16,765 to £18,501 per year
You will be working as part of the Local Taxation and Benefits Shared Service North East Lincolnshire
Recuriter: North East Lincolnshire Council

Electoral Services Officer

North East Lincolnshire Council
NJC15 - £30,024
Are you ready to play a key role in shaping democracy while thriving in a fast-paced, data-driven environment? North East Lincolnshire
Recuriter: North East Lincolnshire Council

Family Support Worker

North East Lincolnshire Council
NJC 19 - £32,061
Are you committed to improving outcomes for our Young People? North East Lincolnshire
Recuriter: North East Lincolnshire Council
Linkedin Banner