Battle over HS2 heads back to the High Court

HS2 Action Alliance (HS2AA) had argued that the Government was required to proceed with a strategic environmental assessment (SEA) as part of going ahead with plans for the London to Birmingham phase one of HS2.

But this was one of nine areas of legal challenge brought by the scheme’s opponents that was thrown out in a ruling in March by Mr Justice Ousely.

HS2AA yesterday said it had raised the necessary £100,000 to appeal against the SEA decision and that the Court of Appeal would hear the case on June 10.

Since March, a National Audit Office (NAO) report has questioned the business case and the funding for HS2.

The second phase of HS2 is due to see two lines branch north of Birmingham, one to Manchester and another to Yorkshire.

In the last few days it has also been revealed that the Major Projects Authority has doubts about the scheme which will see high-speed trains run through picturesque Tory heartlands.

HS2AA director Hilary Wharf said: “The British public have joined the NAO and Major Projects Authority and are putting their hard-earned cash up to hold the Government to account for their incompetent handling of this white elephant.

“The fact that HS2 Ltd chose the same day as the publication of the NAO report to slip out the wholly inadequate HS2 environmental statement, and is giving just eight weeks for a highly complicated consultation, shows that they simply don’t care what irreparable damage HS2 would do to our environment.”

A Department for Transport spokesman said Ministers were committed to HS2, adding: “The judge was firm in dismissing these challenges and the Government will continue to defend any challenge in the Court of Appeal.”