High Speed 2 Residents Meeting24 March 2011

High Speed 2

HIGH SPEED 2 – Government’s consultation

The Government’s public consultation on HS2• Began on 28th February and ends 29th July 2011

It covers:• A proposed route from London to Birmingham, with

a link to HS1 (by 2026); and• A strategy for a Y-shaped network linking London,

Birmingham, Manchester and Leeds, with a spur to Heathrow (by 2033)

The Consultation documents include:

• The Consultation document (and Summary)

• Maps of the proposed route

• The Economic Case for HS2

• The Appraisal of Sustainability (with 6 annexes and summary)

• The Route Engineering Report

• Strategic Alternatives Study

HIGH SPEED 2 – Government’s consultation

HIGH SPEED 2 – The anticipated cost

London to Birmingham will:• Cost £17 billion, which equates to £27 million per

constituency in the UK• Save 35 minutes on journey time in 2026

The Y-shaped network will:• Cost £32 billion, which equates to £51 million per

constituency in the UK• Save 55 minutes on journey times to Manchester

and 1 hour to Leeds in 2033

HIGH SPEED 2 – Assumptions

HS2 claim:• HS2 will solve capacity issues on existing trains• Demand will grow for rail travel resulting in high numbers of

passengers on HS2• HS2 will deliver economic growth and regeneration• HS2 will provide better value for money than other options

But evidence suggests the case is weak because:• The demand for HS2 and its benefits have been overestimated• There is poor integration and links with other rail networks• Other investment options would bring more economic benefits

HIGH SPEED 2 – Climate change

• Rail travel is generally ‘cleaner’ than air and road travel

• But the government says that HS2 will only be carbon neutral

• Evidence shows that HS2 will not contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and may actually increase greenhouse gas emissions

HIGH SPEED 2 - Alternatives

• HS2 looked at alternatives to the proposed route and dismissed them

• But evidence suggests that improved capacity and faster journey times could be achieved at lower financial and environmental cost by other options, such as improving existing rail services

Where Does HS2 Go In Hillingdon?East Boundary to West Ruislip

Ruislip Gardens Station

South Ruislip Station

Waste Transfer Station

West Ruislip to Ickenham

Breakspear Road South

West Ruislip Station

Where Does HS2 Go In Hillingdon?

Ickenham to West Boundary

Moorhall Road

Harvil Road

Where Does HS2 Go In Hillingdon?

East Boundary to South Ruislip

Where Does HS2 Go In Hillingdon?

South Ruislip to West RuislipWhere Does HS2 Go In Hillingdon?

West Ruislip to Harvil Road

Where Does HS2 Go In Hillingdon?

Harvil Road to West BoundaryWhere Does HS2 Go In Hillingdon?

HS2 Noise Map without Mitigation Red = Potentially experience high noise levels Orange = Potentially eligible for noise insulation Grey = Potentially experience a noticeable noise increase

HS2 Noise Map with Mitigation Red = Potentially experience high noise levelsOrange = Potentially eligible for noise insulation Grey = Potentially experience a noticeable noise increase

What is the Exceptional Hardship Scheme?

The 'Exceptional Hardship Scheme' (EHS):• Aims to provide assistance to those property owners who are

most severely affected by the announcement of the preferred route in March 2010

• Came into effect on 20th August and has not been amended

Strict criteria for eligibility for EHS which depends on:• The property type; the location of the property; the effort

to sell made by the landowner; no prior knowledge of HS2; and proof of exceptional hardship.

Discretionary Compensation Scheme Options

The 'Exceptional Hardship Scheme' (EHS):• The Government may extend this

Property purchase bond• Bond is an offer to purchase property in the future• Transferable to any new owners

Compensation bond• Guarantee that people will be compensated if property is

to lose significant value due to proximity to HS2• People given certificate as evidence of Government’s

commitment

Statutory Compensation Measures

Compulsory Purchase Orders (CPO’s)

• If the Government decides to go ahead with HS2, it will direct local authorities to safeguard land to enable its development

• People with a ‘qualifying interest’ can then serve a notice on the Government requiring them to consider buying the property in advance of a CPO

HIGH SPEED 2 - Timescales• Government decision expected in December 2011

• Consultation on discretionary compensation schemes early 2012

• The Hybrid Bill expected to go through Parliament in 2015

• CPOs could take place from 2015

• Construction could begin by 2017

• HS2 to Birmingham may open in 2026

• Statutory compensation for physical impacts on property in 2027

• HS2 to Manchester and Leeds may open in 2033

What is the Council doing?

The Council objects to HS2 in its current form

We are working with 12 County and District Councils who also object to the proposals

Together we are working to provide strong and co-ordinated:• media coverage• political lobbying• responses to the consultation

HIGH SPEED 2 Consultation QuestionsGovernment asks 7 questions in the consultation:

1. Do you agree that there is a strong case for enhancing the capacity and performance of Britain’s inter-city rail network to support economic growth over the coming decades?

2. Do you agree that the national high speed rail network from London to Birmingham, Leeds and Manchester (The Y Network) would provide the best value for money solution (best balance of cost benefits) for enhancing rail capacity and performance?

3. Do you agree with the Government’s proposals for a phased roll-out of a national high speed network and for links to Heathrow and the High Speed 1 line to the Channel Tunnel?

HIGH SPEED 2 Consultation Questions4. Do you agree with the principles and specification used by HS2 Ltd

to underpin its proposals for high speed rail lines and the route selection process HS2 Ltd undertook?

5. Do you agree that the Government’s proposed route, including the approach proposed for mitigating its impacts, is the best option for a new high speed rail line between London and the West Midlands?

6. Do you wish to comment on the Appraisal of Sustainability of the Government’s proposed route between London and the West Midlands that has been published to inform this consultation?

7. Do you agree with the options set out to assist those whose properties lose a significant amount of value as a result of any new high speed line

Make sure you have your say

• Look at the information on http://highspeedrail.dft.gov.uk

• Speak to staff from HS2 Ltd and the Government at the HS2 Roadshow on 30th and 31st March 2011 at Winston Churchill Hall, Ruislip from 8:00am – 8:00pm.

• Let the Government know your views by 29th July 2011 online.

• You can also send your views to:Freepost RSLX-UCGZ-UKSS, High Speed Rail Consultation, PO Box 59528, London, SE21 9AX