East-West Rail minister quizzed by Bucks Council
The Aylesbury spur and impact on locals were the big topics discussed
Buckinghamshire Councillors questioned the Minister for Transport on East-West Rail.
Chris Heaton-Harris MP, Minister of State for the Department of Transport with responsibility for the East West rail project joined a meeting of a joint Community Board working group last night.
Headed up by Buckinghamshire Councillors Heaton-Harris was asked questions on East-West rail, focusing on the Aylesbury spur, road damage and disruption with HS2 works.
Deputy Leader of Buckinghamshire Council, Councillor Angela Macpherson highlighted that the councils support for the line was largely due to the Aylesbury spur being featured in original plans.
While Councillor Paul Irwin asked when he promised a local station to his constiuents was he lying to them or had he been lied to.
Heaton-Harris MP highlighted that the spur has not bee completely cancelled, but the businesses case has weakened particularly over the last 15 months.
He did explain that a strong case is being built, one he believes meets the threshold and a comprehensive bid will be put forward this Autumn.
Another large focus of the meeting was the disruption to local areas because of construction work, this includes traffic and road damage.
After being invited to visit local areas suffering, Heaton-Harris welcomed a tour from Buckingham MP Greg Smith.
However, the later warned that some areas near him had been damaged to the point his car thought it was off road when driving through.
A lack of communication between East-West Rail and HS2 was also mentioned, and the knock on impact this has for the council and local people.
Heaton Harris MP explained that he appreciates a stronger effort is needed in this regard and hopes to improve this in the future.