Consultation over a possible route, set for autumn

Published: 6 May, 2010

• AFTER seeing your article (Cracks in high-speed rail vision, April 22) we wish to clarify a few points for your readers.
Firstly, the government has not taken a final decision either on the principle of whether to build a  high-speed rail link or, if it does decide to do so, exactly what the route would be.
The Department for Transport is proposing to launch a six-month consultation on the high-speed rail proposals, including on the route, in the autumn.
Only after that – probably at some point in 2011 – will a decision be taken on whether to go ahead with the proposals and detailed design on the exact route will begin.
If a route is taken forward it will be designed and constructed to avoid affecting houses situated above tunnels.
As was seen with the construction of very similar tunnels under east London for the Channel Tunnel Rail Link, modern design methods virtually eliminate vibration from trains and also ensure properties above do not suffer during tunnel building.
It is also unfair to describe HS2 Ltd as “shameful” and “cowardly”.
As a government-owned company, HS2 Ltd has to observe the guidance to civil servants on activities in the pre-election period.
This guidance prohibits us from attending public meetings of the sort organised by Councillor Chris Naylor.

However, to ensure as much information was available as possible at the meeting we ensured Cllr Naylor received a number of copies of the exceptional hardship scheme consultation document and CD copies of the report.
We are able, however, to continue to provide information to individuals who are concerned about how they might be affected through our information service which can be contacted on 020 7944 4908 or hs2enquiries@hs2.gsi.gov.uk
We would also like to be clear that the May 20 deadline for responses to the consultation on the terms and scope of the proposed exceptional hardship scheme, where householders most affected by the route recommendations and who have a pressing need to sell can apply to the government to purchase their property; this is not the deadline for applications to be purchased.
Should the government decide to proceed with the scheme, applications would then be accepted and this scheme would remain open until replaced by the statutory blight scheme.
The consultation document can be found at www.dft.gov.uk/highspeedrail
SUZANNE RODDIE
Head of Communications and Corporate Services HS2
Victoria Street, SW1