Financial News
- 16 March 2013, 18:27
HS2 High-Speed Rail Scheme's 'Unlawful' Ruling
The Government insists its HS2 high-speed rail project has not hit the buffers after a High Court judge ruled the consultation process for compensating those affected was "unlawful".
It was the only successful case among five in which Mr Justice Ouseley had been asked to send the multi-billion pound project back for reconsideration.
He described the compensation consultation process "as so unfair as to be unlawful".
But despite the decision at London's High Court, Transport Minister Simon Burns insisted the scheme would not be held up.
"This has been a convincing victory for the Government," he said.
"It's a green light to go ahead. It will not hold up us going ahead with the project, which is in the national interest.
"This is a major landmark victory for HS2 and the future of Britain.
"HS2 is the most significant infrastructure investment the UK has seen in modern times and a project the country cannot afford to do without.
"The judgement ensures that nothing now stands in the way of taking our plans to Parliament.
"We will now move forward as planned with the crucial business of getting the scheme ready for construction in 2017 and delivering enormous benefits for the country."
The first phase of HS2 would see a high-speed railway line running through Tory heartlands from London to Birmingham.
The decision on compensation was a victory for the High Speed 2 Action Alliance (HS2AA), consisting of more than 70 affiliated action groups and residents' associations.
Human rights lawyer Richard Stein, who helped represent HS2AA, said: "This was never a Nimby argument. Many thousands of people living along the route will not be able to sell their homes for some 15 years because their homes are blighted.
"They should not have to bear the burden for this national project.
"We hope now that proper arrangements are put in place by the Government for compensation for those who live by the proposed HS2 route to make it possible for them to move if and when they wish, in the same way that the rest of us can."
Shadow transport secretary Maria Eagle said: "We've now had nearly three years of dither and delay over HS2 which must now come to an end.
"It is vital that the Government now gets on with introducing the necessary legislation to make this scheme a reality on the ground. When they do so, they will have cross-party support from Labour."
Supporters point to the benefits of a reduction in journey times between the UK's two biggest cities.
what do you think?
Vincent Stafford
"Supporters point to the benefits of a reduction in journey times between the UK's two biggest cities". I am not directly affected by this scheme but am always intrigued by statements such as the above and am curious as to what EXACTLY are the SPECIFIC BENEFITS of a reduction in journey time and also just WHO exactly are the "supporters" of these schemes ?
David Francis
They often quote 'business leaders' as the main supporters but when you look into this they turn out to be quasi business groups set up by government agencies purporting to represent business but are actually overblown civil servants, indirectly on the EU payroll - there to promote this sort of scheme.
Vincent Stafford
Also , let us not forget interested construction and infrastructure company board members/shareholder MP's [all parties] .... but then maybe I'm just being cynical - not !!
David Francis
The very thought of it!!!
Michael Hawkins
"It's a green light to go ahead. It will not hold up us going ahead with the project, which is in the national interest." How is this in the national interest - most of the nation will not benefit from it - most will not be able to afford it. it will be executive train service for the rich, whilst the rest of us will still be on the cattle class service. I have only used a train once in 30 years, for work. I do not use the service as 1 it takes too long to get anywhere with the service available to me 2 It costs too much Make rail travel cheap and effective, people may the use the service
bjnk
"Make rail travel cheap and effective, people may the use the service" Well said Michael,agreed,and why should the taxpayer have to foot the bill for executive travel, this is getting to be a habit giving you thumbs up.
Jonathon Bentley
Don't get it. First of all the Tories are criticised for not spending money on infrastructure, and when they do it is condemned by everyone on here. Let them waste the money like the last lot did.
sirpedro08
Oh yes there is, WLU. I know of one dirty great divot, two actually. They live at number 10 and 11.
stevie may
White Elephant only for the rich
pat ormond
I might be mistaken but i think its estimated that spending billions on this will cut journey times from Birmingham to London by about 15-20 min? Here's 2 ideas to save all that money run 3 express trains a day that don't stop at every little village on route definitely half an hour saved or here's another one are you ready for this get an earlier train! No eone that is that desperate to get from Birmingham to London is waiting at a train platform
Peter Edwardson
This has got to be the biggest waste of public money in my lifetime. We already have 3 perfectly good routes From London to Birmingham. If you want to reduce the journey time improve one or more of these. I think we need to take a very careful look at who makes the money on this one because this can be the only reason for pushing this white elephant.
michael porter
Well it will ruin people live by building railway new faster route throughout lovely country???? But big boys/fat cat want to be best in Europe showing them got billion pound to burn but it laughing stock here!!! And don't care about your feeling!!! Be honest look an other plan and see if can keeping cost down for railing user?? I am sure more people will use train more....
andy may
i'd rather we had more rail than road, it's cleaner, quicker and more environmentally friendly.
Paul Martin
And so expensive , it makes your eyes water.
George Powell
I cannot see how many people will benefit from HS2 unless they travel between London and Birmingham several times each day. Doubtless the steel for the rails will come from India or China, The trains from Germany or Japan and the staff from Bulgaria and Romania. Can somebody explain to me how this will help get British people back to work and help the British economy?
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shaun spencer
If were going to compete with other nations with trade we need to move things quicker and more often than our rivals.were 30 years behind as it is. I think this is a neccessary evil.we cant live in the days of steam as the romantics would like.
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David Francis
10:57am on 15/3/2013
This is, on the face of it, excellent news. The one aspect of this white elephant that very few people want is that it is all part of the EUs grand scheme for a trans-European rail network - that is why the people of this country were sidelined in all the discussions and decisions. Now just watch them ignore this ruling completely and 'bash-on' with it as if nothing has happened. Democracy in the EU? - just a joke!