HS2 Phase One Environmental Statement

Over 10,000 pages later, we have waded through the HS2 Environmental Statement and submitted our response. Tranquillity issues, especially noise, remain a key concern for local communities. Deadline for your own response is Thurs 27 Feb.

CPRE Oxfordshire is opposed to HS2 as we are not convinced that the extent of benefits to the national economy and relief of development pressures in the South East would outweigh the unquantifiable harm to the rural area that would be damaged by the proposal.

Should it go ahead, HS2 will have a serious impact on the area of Oxfordshire through which it passes, particularly in terms of the tranquillity of hitherto quiet village communities and countryside. It is therefore vital that environmental mitigation follows best practice rather than simply looking for the cheapest minimum option.

Our response highlights issues including:

• Lack of adequate consultation time to consider such an enormous amount of evidence
• The urgent need for clearer and better plans for mitigating noise nuisance in rural areas
• The need to avoid light pollution, including from construction compounds
• The impact of road closures on the rural economy.

It also looks at the specific mitigation proposals for our local parishes of Godington, Mixbury, Newton Purcell and Finmere.

Read our response in full below.

If you’re quick you can add your voice too – consultation closes 11.45pm, Thurs 27 Feb.   Email responses to:  HS2PhaseOneBillES@dialoguebydesign.com

 

 

CPRE_Oxfordshire_response_to_HS2_Environmental_Statement_Feb_14_FINAL.pdf