Monthly Archives: May 2011

51m – Local Authorities against HS2

Thirteen local authorities including Bucks County Council have joined together in a national campaign to actively challenge the HS2 scheme. They are known as “51m” because that represents how much HS2 will cost each and every Parliamentary Constituency £51million. The group want to emphasise the impact this proposed scheme will have on every taxpayer in the country for years to come. Their website at www.51m.co.uk is an excellent source of information about HS2 and what we can do about it. Remember that the Government’s HS2 consultation ends on 29th July – make sure you have your say.

Police ‘Have Your Say’ Thursday 9th June

The next Thames Valley Police ‘Have Your Say’ surgery will be at The Community Shop in Hughenden Valley from 10.00 to 11.30 on Thursday 9th June. It’s an opportunity to speak with our Neighbourhood Ploice Officers about any concerns or comments about local policing.

New HVRA Officers

At the HVRA AGM on Tuesday Lin Smith was elected as the new Chairman of the Association, and James Perkins as the new Secretary. Angus Idle and Al Bowyer were re-elected at Vice-Chairman and Treasurer respectively. Outgoing Chairman Paul Cawte was thanked by all for his many years of service. Pauls’s Chairman’s report is here. Jim Foy of the National Trust gave a fascinating talk and there was a super display of photographs, maps and other archive material of the local area.

New HVRA Officers
Left to Right: James Perkins, Angus Idle, Lin Smith, Paul Cawte, Al Bowyer

Important HS2 Update

A leaflet giving details of the Alternative Route 2.5 is available at the HS2 Ltd roadshow. This is the route that would cut through Hughenden Valley on a giant viaduct.

We are concerned that this is a ploy to get those living close to the Preferred Route 3 to suggest that the Alternative Route 2.5 which would cut through Hughenden Valley be adopted. If this were to happen there would be no further consultation and therefore no opportunity for Hughenden Valley and neighbouring residents to respond.

The Speen Area Action Group (SAAG) met in Speen Village Hall on 10th May to present the latest details on HS2. SAAG and the Federation of 60 Action Groups Against HS2 (AGAHST) are fighting High Speed Rail outright. HVRA is also a member of AGAHST and contributes to the fighting fund.

Please visit www.speenbucks.org.uk for all the very latest information about the Transport Select Committee which seeks submissions by 16th May 2011 and the Public Consultation which ends on 29th July 2011.

Bucks County Council has formed the 51M Group with 13 Local Authorities, with more coming on board, to give a national profile to the campaign because it will cost every parliamentary constituency in the land £51 million to deliver the scheme. HS2 is a waste of public funds (over £1,000 per household) as it is not value for money. This is based on a cost of £34 billion, but with increasing energy costs and price inflation these figures will rise substantially.

WHAT YOU CAN DO:

  • Please write to your MP, David Lidington with your views to swell his mailbag
  • Also encourage six friends and family who live “off-line” to write to their MPs expressing opposition and encourage each of them to ask six more friends and family who also live “off-line” to write to their MPs.
  • Attend the Road Shows. Please do not complete the Consultation document at the Road Show, but take it home and complete it after reading the Q & A section on the SAAG website. This also applies when completing the Consultation document on-line.
  • Respond to the Consultation by 29th July 2011.

Parish Council Election Results

Congratulations to Ed Furness, Lin Smith, Tony Konieczny and Heather Dempsey who are the newly-elected Parish Councillors for the Hughenden Valley Ward. A full list and and analysis of all the Hughenden Parish Council results is available here.

HS2 Update

As mentioned in the spring edition of Hughenden News here is the link to the Stop HS2 website where you will find information to assist you with the Consultation on HS2: http://stophs2.org/hs2-consultation

Local Roadshows presented by HS2 Ltd are as follows:

Great Missenden Mobile Exhibition
Link Road Car Park HP16 9AE
Thursday 12th May 8am – 8pm

Wendover Exhibition
Wendover Memorial Hall
Wharf Road HP22 6HF
Friday 13th May 8am – 8pm
Saturday 14th May 9am – 5pm

Amersham Exhibition
Amersham & Chiltern Rugby Football Club
Ash Grove, Weedon Road, HP6 5QU
Wednesday 18th May 8am – 8pm
Thursday 19th May 8am – 8pm

CLOSIING DATE FOR CONSULTATION 29TH JULY 2011