Blogminster » David Lidington (Con)

'HS2 stocktake' -- David Lidington (Con)

Sun, 05 Feb 2012 17:17:29 +0000

I invited representatives from local HS2 campaign groups, local councils and the Chilterns Conservation Board to a meeting on Friday evening to take stock of where we were nearly three weeks on from the Secretary of State’s announcement. It was a good chance to swap notes both about the revised HS2 business case that had been published by the DfT last month and some of the practical issues about compensation and environmental mitigation that many constituents have been writing to me about since Ms Greening’s decision. I’m going to carry on representing the views of my constituents against the scheme but at the same time I’m going to raise detailed questions about blight, compensation, noise and visual intrusion. I have a meeting arranged soon with the Chief Engineer of HS2 Ltd which will give me a chance to talk through some of those detailed concerns that constituents are raising with me.

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'A Letter to Justine Greening Concerning HS2 and the Environment' -- David Lidington (Con)

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 12:04:46 +0000

I recently received a letter from the Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust concerning the reluctance of HS2 to accept free information on wildlife sites that may be affected by phase two of the proposals. Therefore, I have written to Justine Greening on this matter and have enclosed a copy of my letter below.

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'A Letter from Justine Greening Concerning HS2' -- David Lidington (Con)

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 11:52:50 +0000

In my blog post of 5 September I posted a copy of a letter I sent to Danny Alexander the Chief Secretary to the Treasury concerning other countries experience with HS2. I have now received a reply from Justine Greening and have enclosed a copy below.

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'A Post on Behalf of Youth Concern Aylesbury' -- David Lidington (Con)

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 14:04:51 +0000

I have agreed to post the below on behalf of Youth Concern Aylesbury concerning their search for a Honorary Chairman.

HONORARY CHAIRMAN VACANY
YOUTH CONCERN AYLESBURY

The Charity

Established in 1979, Youth Concern (Aylesbury) is a registered charity based around a drop in centre and coffee bar. They have a number of key partnerships with local agencies working with young people whilst concentrating on offering quality intensive support and interventions for vulnerable young people at risk. Youth Concern (Aylesbury’s) current client group focuses on young people, many of whom are vulnerable and have complex needs. They have excellent on-site facilities that are accessed by their clients including an IT suite and a purpose built in-house Music Studio with high specification equipment and software. The drop in centre is staffed by experienced youth workers and volunteers who address the needs of clients on an individual basis. Youth Concern (Aylesbury) also have qualified counsellors working on-site. Referrals to specialist agencies are made as appropriate. The charity is managed by a Chief Executive …

'Stoke Mandeville Parish Council Letter' -- David Lidington (Con)

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 12:51:12 +0000

I recently received a letter from Stoke Mandeville Parish Council concerning a meeting they recently held with UKNP and I have enclosed a copy of its body below. Constituents may be interested to read the letter I wrote to Mr Scarsella referred to below in my blog post of 14 December and his response in my blog post of 5 January.

The Parish Council met with Ian Rudd Area Manager and Mary Preece Customer Relations Manager UK Power Networks on 4th January to discuss the number of power cuts suffered in the village during the past two years. This is the second meeting after many months of correspondence. We were handed a copy of their letter to yourself from Basil Scarsella Chief Executive Officer and thank you for your intervention.

Our meeting was successful and work commenced on 9th January to install a new power circuit across the railway bridge, using existing ducts within the footpath.

The problem evidently has been that Stoke Mandeville village is between two power supply stations …

'HS2 Map Links' -- David Lidington (Con)

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 17:21:52 +0000

Several constituents have contacted me recently asking for the location online of the maps of the proposed route for HS2. Therefore, I have included links to these below. Constituents may also be interested to view large scale versions of the maps which are available at my constituency office, for further details please see my blog post of 25 January entitled HS2 maps.

For the route around Wendover Dean please click here.

For the route around Wendover please click here.

For the route around Stoke Mandeville and Aylesbury please click here.

For the route around Aylesbury and Waddesdon please click here.

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'Information from Buckinghamshire County Council Regarding Aylesbury Vale Bus Network' -- David Lidington (Con)

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 18:23:45 +0000

I recently received information regarding revisions to the bus network in Aylesbury Vale from Buckinghamshire County Council and I have included this below.

“From February 5th, there are going to be small changes to timetables designed to improve reliability. The alterations are based on information on actual running times from the Real Time Information System and include a new higher frequency of services on Arriva’s Line 300 to cope with demand.

Peter Hardy, Buckinghamshire County Council Cabinet member for Planning and Transport said “These changes will help to further improve bus reliability and I am pleased that Transport for Buckinghamshire will continue to work in partnership with bus companies to help improve punctuality and attract more people to travel by bus”.

Line 300, is one of Buckinghamshire’s most popular routes and services will now run up to every fifteen minutes on weekdays. Between Aylesbury to Princes Risborough, most journeys will now run direct along the A4010 via Little Kimble. Passengers from Butlers Cross will be able to catch the revised …

'A Letter to Alison Munro Concerning Tunnelling in the Chilterns' -- David Lidington (Con)

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 18:07:36 +0000

I have received several correspondence from constituents enquiring about the possibility of the entire proposed route for HS2 in the Chilterns being in a bore tunnel. Therefore, I have written to Alison Munro, Chief Executive of HS2 Ltd, in order to raise this issue.

I have enclosed a copy of my letter below and once I receive a reply I will post it here.

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'Hs2 Maps' -- David Lidington (Con)

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 16:09:16 +0000

As I indicated in my blog post of (11 January- Meeting with HS2 Engineers) I requested from HS2 large scale maps of the proposed route for HS2 when it passes through my constituency. These have now arrived and are available to view by appointment only at my constituency office. Anyone wishing to view these maps should contact my constituency office on 01296 482102.

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'101 National Police Non-Emergency Number' -- David Lidington (Con)

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 13:39:04 +0000

I recently received a letter from Nick Herbert, Minister of State for Policing and Criminal Justice, concerning a new telephone number that constituents can use to contact the police in non emergency cases. I have enclosed a copy of Mr Herbert’s letter below.

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'Holocaust Memorial Day Book of Commitment' -- David Lidington (Con)

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 17:15:00 +0000

This week I signed a Book of Commitment in the House of Commons. Friday January 27th will mark the 67th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, the Nazi concentration and extermination camp which is the site of the largest mass murder in history – and in the weeks running up to the day, the Holocaust Educational Trust placed a Book of Commitment in the House of Commons, giving MPs the chance to honour those who were persecuted and killed during their Holocaust and encouraging constituents to actively speak out against prejudice and bigotry today.

Holocaust Memorial Day marks the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau – and is an important opportunity to remember the victims of genocide. I encourage all constituents to mark the day and to commit to ‘speaking up and speaking out’ against prejudice.

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'A Letter to Justine Greening concerning HS2' -- David Lidington (Con)

Thu, 19 Jan 2012 15:30:52 +0000

I was recently contacted by a constituent concerned that banks and building societies are not loaning money for home improvements to residents close to the proposed line for HS2. Therefore, I have written to Justine Greening, Secretary of State for Transport; in ask what action her department proposes to take on this issue. I have included a copy of my letter to the Secretary of State below and will post a copy of any reply that I receive.

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'A Report on HS2 Alternatives' -- David Lidington (Con)

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 11:19:39 +0000

A report (The Atkins Report) was recently released by the Department for Transport concerning alternatives to HS2. Anyone wishing to view the report can do so by clicking here.

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'Letters Concerning Aylesbury Youth Offenders Institute' -- David Lidington (Con)

Tue, 17 Jan 2012 15:53:27 +0000

I wrote to Crispin Blunt, the Prisons Minister, concerning Aylesbury Youth Offenders Institute after a report was published following a follow up inspection of the institute. I have now received a reply from Mr Blunt and have enclosed a copy of my letter and his reply below.

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'Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire NHS Cluster Public Consultation' -- David Lidington (Con)

Mon, 16 Jan 2012 16:44:06 +0000

The purseholders for our local NHS, the Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire NHS Cluster, are undertaking a public consultation on proposals to develop health services in Buckinghamshire. Further information can be found by clicking here. I would encourage all those with strong views on this to respond to the consultation to ensure they voice is heard.

I have also included the dates below for public consultation events that are taking place in the local area.

Marlow Court Garden, Court Garden House, Pound Lane, SL7 2AE Thursday 2nd February 6 30pm- 9 30pm

Buckingham Community Centre, Cornwalls Meadow, Buckingham, MK18 1RP Wednesday 8th February 6 30pm- 9 30pm

Everham Centre, Martindale, Iver, SL0 0HY Monday 13th February 2pm- 5pm

The Oculus, The Gateway, Aylesbury, HP19 8FF Tuesday 21st February 2pm-5pm

Chesham Community Centre, The White Hill Centre, White Hall, Chesham, HP5 1AG Monday 27 February 10am-1pm

The King’s Centre, Desborough Road, High Wycombe, HP11 2PU Tuesday 28th February 10am-1pm

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'Further Thoughts on the HS2 Announcement' -- David Lidington (Con)

Wed, 11 Jan 2012 17:21:15 +0000

Below I have provided some of my further thoughts on the annoucement to proceed with HS2.

I am deeply disappointed that the Transport Secretary has not accepted the detailed and well-argued case made against the scheme made by so many of my constituents. As you know from previous updates, I supported that case in my own submission to the public consultation.

I will continue to make representations to the Secretary of State for Transport on behalf of my constituents concerning the arguments for not proceeding with the project.

This is the start of a long process which will include further chances to change the plan. The Department for Transport also recognise that further changes will need to be made, as in a document published to coincide with the announcement they state; “we want to see further refinement and improvement of the route as we now prepare to seek construction powers from Parliament. A vital part of this process will be the completion of an Environmental Impact Assessment.” (High Speed Rail: …

'Meeting with HS2 Engineers' -- David Lidington (Con)

Wed, 11 Jan 2012 17:15:14 +0000

I have just left a drop in session for Members of Parliament to discuss the proposed route for HS2 with HS2 Ltd’s engineers. Available at the drop in session were large scale (around A2 size) maps of the route which detailed the layout of the route, as well at its height above and below ground level.

The engineers told me that there are no engineering reasons for why the tunnel at Wendover could not be extended further. However, if it was extended towards London, as the line is due to run above ground level, the tunnel would look like an artificial hill and in itself would be a substantial structure.

I raised my concerns regarding the two proposed bridges to allow Marsh Lane and Risborough Road to pass over HS2 at Stoke Mandeville. The engineers seem to acknowledge that further amendments need to be made to the route in this area. They did point out to me that HS2 was now proposed to be running at a lower level …

'What Happens Next' -- David Lidington (Con)

Wed, 11 Jan 2012 10:24:00 +0000

A document has been published which lays out how the Government envisages their proposals for HS2 proceeding up until the end of 2014 and I have included this information below for constituents.

Spring 2012- Consultation on blight proposals

Spring 2012- Consultation with statutory bodies on the safeguarding zone for phase one

Spring 2012- Government receives HS2 Ltd advice on phase two route options

Spring 2012- Engagement programme along phase one route on Environmental Impact Assessment issues

Autumn 2012- New blight scheme and safeguarding zone in place

Autumn 2012- Engagement programme on phase two preferred route, to discuss local views and concerns

Spring 2013- Consultation on Environmental Statement for phase one

End of 2013- Introduction on a Hybrid Bill to provide necessary powers to construct and operate phase one of the railway

Early 2014- Consultation on preferred route for phase two

Late 2014- Government’s announcement of the chosen route for phase two

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'My Initial Statement on the HS2 Announcement' -- David Lidington (Con)

Tue, 10 Jan 2012 16:43:32 +0000

Today’s announcement will come as heavy blow to my constituents. I am deeply disappointed that the Secretary of State has not accepted the well-argued case against the scheme that was made by so many local people and which I supported in my own submission to the public consultation.

I will continue to make representations vigorously on behalf of my constituents to the Secretary of State for Transport and other Ministers.

This is the start of a lengthy process. I have been led to believe that there may be a number of applications to the courts for judicial review of the Secretary of State’s decision. The Department of Transport has said it will now draw up a detailed plan, including a thorough environmental impact assessment on which there will be a public consultation. On present plans, no Bill will even be introduced to Parliament before the Autumn or Winter of 2013.

It’s also necessary, without prejudice to people’s opposition to HS2 as a whole, to argue for mitigation measures and a …

'A Letter From Justine Greening Regarding HS2' -- David Lidington (Con)

Tue, 10 Jan 2012 13:23:32 +0000

I have received a letter from the Secretary of State regarding her decision to proceed with HS2 and I have enclosed a copy of this below.

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'Information regarding HS2' -- David Lidington (Con)

Tue, 10 Jan 2012 10:55:37 +0000

Justine Greening, the Secretary of State for Transport, has released a Written Ministerial Statement on her decision regarding HS2, to view her statement please click here.

As you will be aware the Government has made the decision to proceed with HS2 but has made some alternations to the route including a 1280m long tunnel at Wendover.

To view the route as proposed at Wendover please click here.

To view the route as Stoke Mandeville, Fairford Leys and Aylesbury please click here.

The Government has also produced a document called High Speed Rail: Investing in Britain’s Future The Government’s Decisions to view this document please click here.

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'A Visit to HS1' -- David Lidington (Con)

Sun, 08 Jan 2012 18:28:17 +0000

I spent Friday in Kent looking first-hand at the impact that the Channel Tunnel High Speed rail route had had there. I travelled to Ashford with the Managing Director of Southeastern, the rail company that operates the local rail services serving the whole of Kent. In the county, I met parish councillors from two villages beside which HS1 was built, local campaigners fromk the Ebbsfleet/Gravesham area, Kent County Councillors and KCC officers, including planners who had been closely involved in coping with the railway’s construction and operation. I also stood right by the HS1 route while both a local fast service and a Eurostar train passed.

Inevitably, one day can only give you a brief impression of what people in Kent went through and live with now. To start with, there are two major differences between HS1 and the proposed HS2. First, Kent actually has stations – at Ashford and Ebbsfleet- and not just the Eurostar services but fast local services run along the HS1 tracks. So there are some …

'HS2: Network Rail Study' -- David Lidington (Con)

Sat, 07 Jan 2012 12:27:22 +0000

This study was mentioned in a lot of this morning’s broadcast media but was not, when I checked, available on Network Rail’s web site. However, a journalist has kindly emailed me a copy which I have posted here.

Doc005 Network Rail Strategic Alternatives FINAL (2)

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'A Letter From UK Power Networks' -- David Lidington (Con)

Thu, 05 Jan 2012 10:41:53 +0000

I recently wrote to UK Power Networks (see my blog post of 14 December 2011) concerning the power supply in Stoke Mandeville. I have now received a reply which I have enclosed below.

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'A Notice Concerning My Offices Opening Hours During the Christmas Period' -- David Lidington (Con)

Tue, 20 Dec 2011 19:10:50 +0000

My Westminster office closes on the 23rd of December 2011 and re-opens on the 3rd of January 2012 and will be operating on a reduced staff basis between the 21st of December and the 23rd of December. My constituency office is closed from the 21st of December 2011 and will also re- open on the 3rd of January 2012. Between these dates emails, letters and telephone messages will not be picked up but will be dealt with in the order they were received after the Christmas and New Year period.

I wish all my constituents a Merry Christmas and a happy and safe New Year.

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