Bucks Council leader calls on government to monitor HS2
Martin Tett says that the railway company are not keeping locals informed
Buckinghamshire Council is calling for the government to support local people as HS2 is built.
Leader Martin Tett has stepped in once more over concerns about the construction of the high-speed rail line through Bucks.
In a letter to the Chairman of the Government's Transport Select Committee, he focus on the the lack of effective monitoring from HS2 on the work and its contractors.
He says:
"I urge the Select Committee to insist that HS2 Ltd and its contractors do as they said they would when they set out their proposals to Parliament. Faced with the delivery phase of this unwanted project, the least we should expect is considerate, well communicated implementation. However, despite the assurances from HS2 that they will be a "good neighbour" we are not currently experiencing that.
"Instead HS2 issues are diverting tax-payers' resources away from delivering vital services during a pandemic, as we are having to deal with countless local issues which are caused, and not adequately addressed, by HS2 Ltd and its contractors."
The Council has historically opposed the HS2 project and continues to do so for many valid reasons. It dissects the county and provides no tangible benefits to Buckinghamshire. We have all the dis-benefits of a large-scale construction project and none of the benefits, with the damage being done to our environment and the visual impact completely irreversible."
At the meeting of the TSC on 6 January, it's second six monthly oral evidence session on the progress of HS2, evidence was given by Phil Gaskin, Chairman of Calvert Green Parish Council, an area hugely impacted by HS2.
He stated "that there is no quick and simple way of resolving issues with HS2 Ltd."
Both Greg Smith MP for Buckingham and Mr Gaskin raised the need for independent oversight of the project and suggested the implementation of local sheriff style appointments, to be told by Mark Thurston, HS2's CEO that these roles were already in existence. No-one has seen these officers in Buckinghamshire.
Councillor Tett added:
"On this basis I urge the Select Committee to ensure that there is effective monitoring of the contractors and HS2 Ltd's decisions to implement the project differently to the proposals set out to Parliament, and for Buckinghamshire Council to be appropriately re-imbursed for the additional pressures which the project implementation is putting on the authority."