27.07.12
Time critical
The battle over HS2 continues, as campaigners against the scheme are granted the right to seek a judicial review on the project.
The opposition are focusing on claims that the consultation has failed to adhere to European environmental and habitat regulations, and that HS2 has failed to provide adequate information on compensation.
Although further information on compensation is forthcoming, theAllianceis right to highlight that this information could have influenced the decision, and as such should not be provided after the scheme has been approved.
But if they are successful in winning the judicial review, it could mean the Government must go back to square one on HS2, redoing the whole consultation. This could severely delay any upgrade to the network when capacity is already almost at its peak.
There is simply no time left to consider arguments which have already undergone a lengthy process of consultation, discussion and review. HS2 is a huge project that is scheduled to be complete just in time to save our battered system; further delays now are unthinkable.
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