There are widespread reports in the media today that the Government is set to announce the approval of HS2 next week. The BBC report that Ministers say the proposal is “being seriously considered”. Network Rail have published this report which says that HS2 is better than the alternatives. The Telegraph says that the proposal will be approved by Transport Secretary Justine Greening. The announcement is expected on Tuesday. The BBC also has this map of the route on which you can click to see more detail of each area affected.
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HS2 – The final countdown
The war of words is hotting up in the build up to the final decision on HS2 which the Government says will be announced on or before Friday 13th January. Today more than 100 business leaders, MPs and economists have mounted a campaign in favour of HS2 in letters to the Financial Times, the Daily Telegraph and the Guardian, they say HS2 would create jobs and ease transport overcrowding. Continue reading
Stop HS2 – “Oak Tree Lament” for Christmas Number One Campaign
Dirty Mavis has launched their “Oak Tree Lament” on behalf of the StopHS2 campaign in the hope to have a No 1 hit for Christmas. It can be downloaded from the HMV website and from iTunes. For further details go to http://www.oaktreelament.org.uk. Continue reading
HS2 – Christmas Video
Recently posted on youtube by the Pan Camden HS2 Alliance, this Christmas video uses sound recorded by the BBC to give an indication of what might be expected from HS2.
Latest News from the NAG
From Lin Smith:
At our latest NAG Meeting, we were asked to circulate the following information via the Newsletters, and websites.
Firstly, we were asked to report all thefts from sheds and garages or other incidents, for example of Anti-Social Behaviour, to the police on 101, which is the new non-emergency number, or email at lee.turnham@thamesvalley.pnn.police.uk. This will enable them to see any patterns that may emerge, which will help them investigate future incidents.
Secondly, could we please identify any particularly bad areas of littering and let your representative know where they are. And if perhaps people could pick up any litter that is outside their own houses, that would help keep the Village looking nicer. Also, litter attracts more litter.
Thirdly, the problem with dog fouling is a perennial one. Please could dog owners please pick up their pets poo and put it in a bag, then put the bag in one of the dog poo bins or take it home. Some people have been putting their bags in hedges, field gates and even into front gardens. We were reminded that allowing your dog to foul footpaths is just as much an offence as on the pavement. If you are already doing the right thing, please do not be offended by my mentioning it here. You are the good guys.
And finally, there is a special Festive ‘Have Your Say’ at Sir William Ramsay School, Rose Avenue, Hazlemere on Saturday December 10. It is your opportunity to come and meet your local Police Team and enjoy coffee and mince pies. Trading Standards and Neighbourhood Watch will also be there.
Currently I am the only representative for Hughenden Valley and Bryants Bottom on the NAG. Gt Kingshill had 6 representatives at our meeting tonight, Widmer End had 4, Naphill had 2. We need to make our voice louder, so if you could give one evening every 6 weeks and would be interested in having a say in policing in our village, please get in touch with me on 01494 562533 or email me on linsmith38@btinternet.com.
Many thanks
Lin Smith
HS2 – Jerry Marshall of AGAHST on BBC TV
Jerry Marshall, chairman of Action Groups Against High Speed Two, filmed a show for BBC’s “Inside Out” on Monday.
The eight minute film compiled by Mr Marshall was accompanied by a film making the case for the proposed London-to-Birmingham line.
Mr Marshall said: “It was great fun, partly because we have such a strong story.
The programme can be viewed on BBC iPlayer at http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b018032h/Inside_Out_West_Midlands_05_12_2011/
HS2 “Additional tunnel proposed in Chilterns”
According to the Daily Telegraph on 3 December, Transport secretary Justine Greening will announce early next week that extra money has been found to pay for a 2.4 kilometre-long (1.5 miles) tunnel under the Chiltern Hills beyond Amersham. Continue reading
Chilterns Commons Project Launched
A press release received from the Chilterns Conservation Board says:
The Chilterns Conservation Board is launching an exciting new project to preserve and promote a vital part of our natural and cultural heritage.
Commons have been at the heart of communities since the Middle Ages and hold generations of history in their landscape. They’re important wildlife refuges, home to many species that cannot survive elsewhere in our intensively-farmed countryside. They’re also fantastic natural playgrounds for walking, picnics and playing on.
However, commons are under threat. Today, there is increasing demand for land from agriculture, housing and commerce, but ironically, the biggest threat to commons is neglect.
The Chilterns Commons Project launched on 30 September with £400,000 of Heritage Lottery Funding. The four-year project will help improve the natural environment of commons in the area, spread the word about the value of commons and get more people involved in studying and caring for them.
A new Commons Project Officer, Rachel Sanderson, is in place at The Chilterns Conservation Board to advise and support those interested in helping the Commons Project. ‘This is a fantastic project that everyone can get involved in,’ says Rachel, ‘We’ll be running training schemes for landowners and committed volunteers to equip them with new skills to help them with practical work for habitat conservation and restoration on commons, or train them in wildlife or archaeological survey techniques.’ Funding for professional works to improve wildlife habitats and historic features on common land is also available as part of the Chilterns Commons Project.
The real value of commons lies in their importance to the public as open green spaces at the heart of communities. We need to use them, study them, cherish them and most importantly, maintain them so that we don’t lose these amazing, varied landscapes for good.
More information in the full press release and on the Chilterns Conservation Board website at www.chilternsaonb.org/commons.
NW Chilterns Local Area Forum
Click the link to view this bulletin from the NW Chilterns Local Area Forum which gives you the latest news from Locality Services about community projects and initiatives in the Bledlow-cum-Saunderton, Ellesborough, Longwick-cum-Ilmer, Great and Little Hampden, Great and Little Kimble, Princes Risborough Town, Lacey Green, Bradenham and Hughenden…..
Festive Police ‘Have Your Say’
The next ‘Have Your Say’ Neighbourhood Police Officers’ surgery will be at Sir William Ramsey School, Rose Avenue, Hazlemere from 10am to 2pm on Saturday 10th December 2011. The Hazlemere Neighbourhood Policing Team invite you to drop in for coffee and mince pies and to discuss any concerns you may have regarding local policing. Trading Standards and Neighbourhood Watch will also be there.
Hughenden Valley Residents Association 