HS2 Compensation And Mitigation Forum – Third Meeting

Last week the third meeting of the HS2 Compensation and Mitigation Forum took place. Martin Tett, Leader of Buckinghamshire County Council and Chairman of 51M was our guest and the meeting was very well attended with more MPs beginning to take an interest in the work of the group. I am delighted that Nigel Mills, MP for Amber Valley in Derbyshire, which is not affected at the moment but could be when the second stage of the route is announced, has agreed to co-Chair the group with me and is working hard to get MPs north of Birmingham involved in this group.

Martin Tett gave us an update on the work of 51M and specifically the judicial review. Martin explained that there is likely to be a hearing in the autumn. A judge will decide whether there is a case for the Government to answer, if he decides positively then a hearing will take place possibly at the same time.

The judicial review by 51M will mainly focus on two points; firstly, the consultation process and secondly, the decision itself. Martin explained that knowledge of the consultation process was almost non-existent north of Birmingham and Councils in the north have a very limited knowledge of the project. 51M also argue that the decision to proceed is an irrational one. They claim there are serious flaws in the way the line will link with Heathrow airport and the disruption to Euston station that the project will cause has not been adequately considered.

A consultation into compensation is due to open soon and it is the aim of the Forum to put together a submission with case studies from all constituencies affected by HS2. We will also consider promoting the idea of a property bond as a means to minimise blight.

The next meeting of the Forum will take place at the end of June when Rt. Hon. Justine Greening MP, Secretary of State for Transport will be attending. My Colleagues and I will be drawing up an agenda well in advance of the meeting of issues that we want to raise with her and will submit them to her in advance so we get full and comprehensive answers to our questions. I will look forward to updating you on the outcome of that meeting of the Forum.

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