MP asks the public to unite in opposition to HS2

Mar 15 2011 By Lawrence Poole

BU cheryl

CHESHAM and Amersham MP Cheryl Gillan has issued a rallying call urging the Chilterns to fight HS2.

Mrs Gillan, who has been criticised for not speaking out enough against the controversial £33bn rail link from Birmingham to London, has asked the public to unite in opposition.

She said: "The current proposals are unacceptable; it is not a case of nimbyism as AONB (Areas Of Outstanding Natural Beauty) are by definition national treasures for all of us to enjoy.

The argument's about nimbyism."A train ripping through the heart of the Chilterns is no way to address the economic issues and the harm to the environment and quality of life of those who use the Chilterns cannot be sacrificed for this – the Chilterns were awarded AONB for strong and valid reasons."

She continued: "I fully support the need for a major infrastructure upgrade for the UK, however, the issue is how best to do this.

"We need to ensure that our existing railway connections are acceptable first and show the benefits that can be brought to rail travel by electrification of existing lines."

She added: "It is time to put the case against the current proposals.

"I urge all constituents to make submissions, attend the roadshows and action groups, visit the HS2 Ltd, DfT and my recently updated website.

"Last year Great Missenden Village Association called for Mrs Gillan to resign from her Cabinet position as Secretary of State for Wales and back the anti-HS2 campaign.

GMVA chairman Seb Berry said: "Philip Hammond (Transport Secretary) now dismisses all local opposition to the route as nothing more than nimbyism.

"It's about time our local MP recognised her nimby response since the election has been entirely counter-productive - she should join groups in calling for an end to HS2 full stop."

Bucks County Council's cabinet member for the environment Martin Tett said: "We welcome Cheryl's statement – it's becoming obvious through the support of green campaigners and other national bodies that nimbyism isn't a relevant argument."

A public consultation runs until July 29, if the 225mph link gets the go-ahead, work could start by 2015.