HS2, HS2 Updates

Ruislip Against HS2 – Newsletter 44

Dear Supporters,
 
The campaign against HS2 reached it’s 5th anniversary on March 11th this year. It has been a very long and tiring time!
 
Whilst we have still yet to Stop HS2, HAHS2 are very proud of our achievements over the last few years and the difference our campaign has made.HAHS2 have had countless public events and meetings to help raise awareness,protested and lobbied in Parliament and endlessly kept the pressure on anyone connected to the project. Supported by you, we have brought the plight of Hillingdon to the attention of the media,public and parliament.
We have secured a tunnel for the Ruislip section of the route, saving many homes and businesses from demolition and unimaginable disruption.We have helped improve the compensation scheme for some, contributed to court cases and attended endless meetings with MPs HS2Ltd, and other organisations,on your behalf.We have supported residents from across Harefield Ickenham,West to South Ruislip and will be continuing to help those affected by HS2 with the petitioning process when it resumes in June.
 
HEATHROW SPURS
HAHS2 are now pleased to also share our latest achievement. The Heathrow section of the route which has been ‘on hold’ for so long, has finally been scrapped. The announcement was made very quietly, just days before parliament dissolved but a verbal assurance was given to Nick Hurd MP in a debate on HS2 on 25th March,by rail minister Robert Goodwill. You can watch the full debate HERE, contributions from Sir John Randall and Nick Hurd.
You can see the news report including comment from HAHS2 HERE  We will now be working hard to make this assurance binding, by getting the Heathrow spurs removed from the wording of the HS2 Hybrid Bill.
We are delighted by this news as we have long argued that this section of the route made no sense and had no business case.Our continued pressure on our local MPs, Boris Johnston and TFL has paid off. The implications are far more reaching than just scrapping the unnecessary connection that would have cost millions.The blight caused by uncertainty of the plans has now been removed.Whilst the link wasn’t due to be built until the second stage of the project in 2026, the ‘passive provisions’ ie. the junctions that would have facilitated it, would have been part of the first phase of construction.Without these junctions, Hillingdon are in a much stronger position to argue for the extension of the Northolt tunnel from Ruislip through Ickenham. This mitigation will be the main thrust of our requests to the Select Committee during the next round of petitioning and, if we are successful, the changes will significantly reduce some of the major disruption to Ickenham and Harefield.
 
PETITIONING
Petitioners from Harefield were heard by the Select Committee in March and made some very detailed and powerful presentations. The petitioning process has been suspended now until after the General Election and a new Government is formed.You can find more information about the Select Committee and transcripts from the hearings so far HERE
We have provisional dates for the rest of Hillingdon’s petitions to be heard, starting with LBH from mid June, who will be followed by representations from Ickenham and then Ruislip
HAHS2 are currently working hard with LBH and resident groups to prepare in earnest for our next appearances.
A series of meetings and workshops are ongoing to help assist anyone who has petitioned. If you have submitted a petition and you haven’t attended any of meetings or haven’t already been in touch, please contact us so we are aware of your petition ( and number) and we can extend some support, advice, and forward you the slides from the workshops.
GENERAL ELECTION
Incase you hadn’t heard there’s going to be an election on 7th May!
Local candidates from all parties are out and about all looking to secure your vote, please let them know how important an issue HS2 is. It would be great if you could get in touch with all your Parliamentary candidates to express your view of HS2.  On Twitter, please use the hashtags, #ge2015, #hs2 and any local hashtags.
Because HS2 is so important to some voters, STOPHS2 have launched the “We won’t vote for any party that supports HS2” campaign.  You can download the posters from their website  – and display them in your window.
We’ve been reading the manifestos of the main UK political parties to let you know what they have to say on HS2 – full details are on the Stop HS2 website stophs2.org.
Conservatives, Labour, LibDem and the SNP all express support for HS2 in their manifestos.
Political parties that oppose HS2 include the Green Party and UKIP.
HAHS2 have attended 2 recent hustings for the Uxbridge and South Ruislip constituency to hear what each of the hopeful local MPs had to say about HS2. So here’s a brief overview of each party.
You can see a full list of candidates HERE with links to contact them.
CONSERVATIVE  – BORIS JOHNSON             Says he’s the strongest candidate to help mitigate HS2 in London more. Won’t support it without a better plan for Euston,link to HS1 or an extended Northolt tunnel through Ickenham.
LABOUR               – CHRIS SUMMERS            Says he would defy party policy and vote against HS2 and would fight for better mitigation.He wants HS2 scrapped and money spent on better NHS and Hillingdon Hospital.
LIB DEM                – MIKE COX                        Says route is wrong and that it should follow the M1. He is personally in strong favour of HS2 as well as following party line in support.
UKIP                     –  JACK DUFFIN                  Says he wants to see HS2 scrapped altogether as per party policy. UKIP would call for a referendum to allow the public to vote on HS2.
GREEN                 –  GRAHAM LEE                 Says mitigation is not enough, wants HS2 scrapped as per party policy. Thinks trains and platforms should be lengthened with improvements to WCML.
INDEPENDENT    – JENNIFER THOMPSON  Says mitigation and tunnels are not enough or acceptable and HS2 must be scrapped.
We have less information from the Ruislip, Pinner and Northwood constituency which also covers Ickenham and Harefield but there is an upcoming hustings, information HERE and a full list of candidates HERE with links to contact them.
CONSERVATIVE  – NICK HURD  Says he can’t support current HS2 proposals because of the cost to the constituency.Compensation is still not fair enough.Will vote against it at next stage unless we get the mitigation we are petitioning for.
LABOUR               – MICHAEL BORIO       Says he will vote against the current route.
LIB DEM               – JOSH DIXON              Says he supports HS2 but we need to go further in ensuring protection for residents like extra tunnelling and better compensation.
 
 
 
UKIP                     – GERRARD BARRY     Says HS2 has to be scrapped as it has no business case.
GREEN                 – KAREN PILLAI            Says she opposes the HS2 project as wasteful and unnecessary and recognise the negative impact it would have in the south of the borough.
AFTER THE ELECTION
In two weeks time, we will need to let a new set of MPs know about the problems with HS2.  We have some plans for immediately after the election, although exactly what we do will depend on the results. The Stop HS2 website and the@stophs2 twitter account will be updated with plans when they are ready.
HAHS2 will be supporting any event organised and we hope you will join us.
Keep in touch via our Website and FaceBook Page for details nearer the time.
FUNDING
We are very grateful for all the donations we have received recently and much of the progress that has been made over the last few years could not have happened without your generosity.
Please do think about making a donation if you can.
If you can contribute in any small way, donations will be gratefully received either via Paypal on our website by clicking the donate button HERE or by sending cheques to Hillingdon Against HS2 to: 8 Almond Close, Ruislip , HA46EB
 
You can also help raise funds really easily – FOR FREE! as you do your everyday shopping online – please register HERE
Once again,many thanks for your continued interest and support.
 
Ruislip and Hillingdon Against HS2
 
 
 
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