Letters: Don't blame us, blame your group

Aug 4 2011 Buckinghamshire Advertiser

I HAVE read with interest the coverage in your July 21 issue of the HS2 consultation, in particular the comments under the heading 'Protesters criticise parish council'.

The Little Chalfont Parish Council meeting in question was a regular monthly meeting with a long agenda. All meetings are open to the public and there is a 10-minute period at the beginning for people to speak on any issue they wish. Unfortunately, prior to this meeting, emails had been circulated by the Chalfonts No to HS2 group, urging people to attend a public meeting to discuss HS2. A number of people therefore attended under a misapprehension that they could enter into a general discussion. I am sorry if they felt they had been misled and it is sad when an issue, on which the community is to a large degree united, can lead to so much apparent division, but the blame lies elsewhere, not with the council.

Your reporter, who was not at the meeting, claims many people left. In fact almost everyone stayed until the council had discussed the relevant item on the agenda and moved on to other matters.

Let me reassure local residents and others that Little Chalfont Parish Council is against HS2 in the Chilterns and the route proposed.