Charities challenge HS2 rail plans

Environmental charities have formed an alliance calling for the Government to rethink plans for a London-to-Birmingham high-speed rail line.

Campaign to Protect Rural England, RSPB and Greenpeace have said there has not been enough consultation on the HS2 project thus far.

They are worried that if the proposals are a failure they will lead to an increase in flights and car journeys.

The group’s charter has set out four principles “for doing High Street Rail well”.

Other groups have also thrown their weight behind the campaign, including the Campaign for Better Transport, Chiltern Society, Civic Voice, the Woodland Trust, the Wildlife Trusts, Environmental Law Foundation and Friends of the Earth.

The alliance said: “Many groups commenting publicly on High Speed Rail to date have represented either people living along the proposed route or businesses and cities that could profit from it.

“Today’s Charter draws together for the first time many well known national charities, covering environmental, heritage, countryside, legal and wildlife issues, in addition to other organisations. It seeks to achieve the best long-term outcome from high speed rail for the country, the climate, communities and the countryside.”

The alliance has argued that there was no prior consultation before HS2 was foisted on the public.

If the proposals get the green light, the Government expects work on the line to the West Midlands to begin in 2015 and finish by 2026, with the links to Manchester and Leeds due to be completed in 2032-33.

The £17 billion project will deliver major strategic benefits to the economy, according to Transport Secretary Philip Hammond, and it has been backed by other business leaders.

IBB has one of the largest real estate groups in West London and the South East, with expertise in commercial development, residential development, real estate finance, real estate investment and management, construction and real estate dispute resolution. Contact a member of the team by visiting the relevant service page, or you can call us on 08456 381 381 or email enquiries@ibblaw.co.uk.