Nick Appleyard 20 December 2010

Hammond set to unveil HS2 plans

Transport secretary Philip Hammond is set to unveil his preferred route for the HS2 high-speed rail line from London to Birmingham.


But campaigners have claimed the minister is attempting to bury the unpopular plan, while the nation is gripped by the big freeze.

Last week, Warwickshire County Council became the latest local authority to oppose the route. Staffordshire County Council, Coventry City Council and Chiltern District Council are among a group of about 20 authorities totally opposed to HS2.

Mr Hammond has met with local government leaders to discuss the plans and have revealed the route has been altered to deal with concerns over impacts on communities and nature.

The multibillion-pound project is due to be started in 2015 and will cut journey times between London and Birmingham by 30 minutes.

Joe Rukin said, director of the Stop HS2 Campaign, said: ‘Philip Hammond wants to make out that everyone opposing this project is a Nimby, so he can hide from the fact there is no business case, no environmental case and no money to pay for it.

‘There are better cheaper alternatives which would be quicker to deliver and would give more benefit to far more people, not just this exceptionally narrow corridor, but the Government haven’t worked up the options.’
SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Director of Public Health

Brighton & Hove City Council
£123,000 - £139,000 plus up to £10,000 relocation expenses
Your opportunity to make a huge impact. Brighton, East Sussex
Recuriter: Brighton & Hove City Council

Service Director Children’s Quality & Improvement

Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council
c.£110,000
Innovation. Community. Impact. Barnsley, South Yorkshire
Recuriter: Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council

Assistant Director of Communications

York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority
£80,216 - £89,556 + relocation support
The York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority York, North Yorkshire
Recuriter: York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority

Chief Operating Officer

Solace
£95k - £120k
Solace is the UK’s leading membership body for local government professionals. Nationwide
Recuriter: Solace

Support Worker

Durham County Council
Grade 4 £25,583 - £26,824 Pro-rata
WHAT IS INVOLVED?   You should be an enthusiastic team player who takes pride in providing excellent customer service.  You will have good communicati Spennymoor
Recuriter: Durham County Council
Linkedin Banner