27.07.12
High Court grants HS2 opponents hearing
Opponents to HS2 have been granted a hearing by the High Court, and the right to seek a judicial review against the scheme.
The £32bn project has been opposed by environmentalists and several Conservative ministers along the route, whose constituencies would be affected by the network.
Eight days have been set aside for a hearing, beginning on December 3.
HS2 Action Alliance will be joined by Aylesbury Golf Club, Heathrow Hub and the 51m group of councils opposing the route. The groups claim that the consultation for the project failed to follow European environmental and habitat regulations and has failed to provide adequate information on compensation.
The current timetable for HS2 would see the first phase, fromLondontoBirmingham, open by 2026.
HilaryWharf, HS2 Action Alliance’s director told the Telegraph: “Not only does the Judge agree our cases should be, and will be heard, but the Secretary of State has been forced to account for her actions in seemingly ignoring many consultation responses.
“The fact that three of the four claimants in this case have had their consultation responses mishandled is unbelievable.
“But it does explain why the Government seemed not to be listening, - because they weren’t. We were pleased that the judge allowed us to amend our case to reflect these developments.”
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Image c. HS2 Ltd