HS2 - Local & National News,
2015
<<< 2016 news
For National HS2 news, visit the Stop HS2 News pages,
the Google HS2 news feed,
& the Stop HS2 "TV station" on YouTube
Local news ( from the Bucks Examiner ) here ..
04-December-2015
Response to the Commission on FOI
The Campaign (for Freedom of Information) has published its submission to the Commission on Freedom of Information. It analyses all Tribunal decisions affecting central government over the last 3 years involving the FOI exemptions for policy formulation or internal discussion....
It says "The suggestion that these exemptions might operate without the public interest test, whether for 20 years or some shorter period, would be an enormously retrograde step entirely at odds with the public's expectations, the requirements of accountability and the government's own declared commitment to openness."
The Campaign also challenges the view that the Supreme Court’s ruling on the veto, in the Prince Charles correspondence case, overturns Parliament’s intention. And it opposes the introduction of charges for information, or changes to make it easier for requests to be refused on cost grounds.
21-October-2015
FOI act threatened
Help us support the FOI legeslation - see this page about the current consultation on the future of the act.
28-August-2015
'REPA' C6 tunnel extension confirmed -
See HS2 press release, and select committee page; the tunnel extension(s) are described on the REPA website.
04-August-2015
Deadline - what deadline ?
Dear all,
Please find attached the note that Roger and I sent this morning to David Walker at Winckworth Sherwood.
Atypically, we received a very rapid and positive response (highlighted below). The bottom line: petitioners do NOT have to write to Walker with their preference in order to be heard by the Select Committee.
One does wonder why he could not have made this clear in the first place ...
Ron
Dear Sirs
In order to manage the hearings as efficiently as possible, petitioners were asked to let me know by 21 August whether they wish to associate themselves with another petitioner, be represented by a group or another person or whether they wish to appear individually in person.
I am happy to confirm that it does not mean that if they fail to respond they will be denied a hearing.
David Walker
01-August-2015
Newsletters
The select committee announcement, from Amersham Action Group, and Gt Missenden Stop HS2
Tunnel hearings
Index to the select committee sessions
26-June-2015
HS2 Publications -
High Speed Rail in the Chilterns
A summary of general tunnel requirements and assessments of tunnel proposals made by petitioners against the High Speed Rail (London – West Midlands) Bill in the Chilterns.
HS2: Major Projects Authority project assessment
The Major Projects Authority (MPA) project assessment review reports on HS2 produced in November 2011 and June 2012
These were (eventually) obtained as a result of FOI requests and a lengthy legal campaign initiated by Paul Thornton. More recent and equally damning reports have not been released in full.
Election News
A roundup of election news, from the lists circulated by Andrea Polden (many thanks)
- Cheryl Gillan vows to carry on protesting against HS2
- Lidington retains Aylesbury
- Labour’s Sir Keir Starmer vows to work ‘tirelessly’
- Five things Boris Johnson needs to fix
- From HS2 to spoilt ballots, lessons from election night
- Postponement of SC visit to Buckinghamshire
- HS2 Committee visit to Buckinghamshire postponed until July
- HS2 Seems to have had little impact on election outcome
- HS2 fight goes on, say campaigners
- New Whitehall transport team to be named
- McLoughlin and Perry stay on at Department for Transport
- Tett approved by party at meeting
Results for the 5 ( & 1 ex ) members of the select committee
08-May-2015
What are the party manifesto commitments on High Speed Rail ? & what do our local candidates have to say ?
25-March-2015
House of Lords Economic Affairs Committee Report
18-January-2015
Newsletters
From HS2 Amersham and Great Missenden - Happy New Year
Select Committee Visit to Colne Valley
Report from Denham
Public Accounts Committee -
Not entirely happy with DfT management ? ( PAC, BBC reports )