Campaigners hope High Court challenge will derail HS2
Campaigners say they hope to put plans for HS2 through the Midlands back to square one as they prepare to go to the High Court tomorrow.
HS2 Court of Appeal appearance
Campaigners from HS2 Action Alliance are heading to London tomorrow to take on the Government at the Court of Appeal.
Report severely criticises government HS2 business case
The controversial high speed rail has been severely criticised in a report by the National Audit Office.
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Further alternatives to HS2 according to think-tank*
£4.5 billion - could introduce superfast fibre optic broadband across the country, which would boost business, reduce pressure on transport and protect British infrastructure.
£2 billion - to make cities outside London better for cycling and walking.
– David Theiss, New Economics Foundation researcherHS2 is the largest transport investment in the UK's history. At the moment it amounts to a £33 billion gamble.Our research shows the Government is backing the wrong horse. Instead of pouring billions of pounds into a single line that will take 20 years to complete we should be spreading our bets on a wider range of transport investments that offer better value for money.
The Government says HS2 is needed to boost transport capacity and make the country a more prosperous place.
- The New Economics Foundation argues that demand for HS2 has been 'over-estimated'.
Think-tank alternatives to HS2
£10 billion - could change rail infrastructure in northern England and the Midlands, creating new and faster east-west rail links, redeveloping stations and electrifying regional rail lines.
£10 billion - could be used on the East and West Coast main lines, increasing the speed, capacity and reliability of north-south rail travel with less environmental damage than HS2.
£6 billion - could upgrade mass transport in Birmingham, Leeds, Manchester and Liverpool, including investments in large light rail schemes and bus networks.
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Claims HS2 demand is 'overestimated'
The demand for HS2 has 'likely been overestimated' and the £33 billion project does not offer value for money - according to a report out today.
The New Economics Foundation says evidence that the rail line, which will run through the Midlands, will promote economic growth or tackle the north-south divide, is limited.
The report also claims the line will be 'carbon intensive and environmentally damaging', and recommends the money earmarked for the project be spent elsewhere, ideally on transport systems away from the Capital.
The Government is firmly backing plans for the route which it says will boost the economy and is needed for the country to remain competitive.
Anti-HS2 campaigners take on the Government at Court of Appeal
Anti-HS2 campaigners are taking on the Government at the Court of Appeal today.
They are objecting to the environmental impact of the planned high speed rail line through the Midlands.
The Department for Transport says it will defend any challenges to the project.
Campaigners hope High Court challenge will derail HS2
by Chris Halpin
Campaigners say they hope to put plans for HS2 through the Midlands back to square one as they prepare to go to the High Court tomorrow.
Read the full storyDepartment for Transport statement on HS2 High Court appeal
Ahead of tomorrow's High Court appeal by the HS2 Action Alliance, the Department for Transport issued the following statement.
– Department for Transport"The High Court was firm in dismissing these challenges and the Government will continue to defend any challenge in the Court of Appeal. It is unfortunate but inevitable that opponents of HS2 will do what ever they can to delay the Government's plans, but the Government remains committed to delivering HS2 as quickly as possible."
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Anti-HS2 campaigner hopes government will look at environmental impact
David Outen says the detrimental impact on the area around his village hasn't been sufficiently considered and thinks existing transport links should be looked into as an alternative.
HS2: 'Most of the community think it's a done deal and have given up'
A campaigner against the controversial HS2 says many of the the residents in his village in Staffordshire 'have given up' with most believing the high speed train is a 'done deal'. Many campaigners say the village of Hints will be ruined by the railway line.
HS2 Court of Appeal appearance
Campaigners from HS2 Action Alliance are heading to London tomorrow to take on the Government at the Court of Appeal.
Read the full storyTwo HS2 staff 'earn more than the Prime Minister'
Official documents have revealed two staff working on the HS2 project earn more than Prime Minister David Cameron.
HS2 Ltd employ more than 200 staff, one of whom earns in excess of £160,000 a year, with another earning a salary of more than £170,000.
In contrast David Cameron's annual pay is £145,000.
The figures were revealed in a letter to the shadow Transport Secretary Maria Eagle after she requested a breakdown of how much staff at the Department for Transport owned company were paid.
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