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Campaigners told to stop worrying people over HS2
MCBH Week 03 DP View - Ellesborough Road in Wendover
THE boss of HS2 Ltd has fuelled anger after suggesting campaigners ‘could cause unnecessary concern for residents in the area’ by guessing which homes will need to be demolished.
But Roger Waller from the Wendover HS2 action group has hit back at the claim, saying: “I think the entire railway line is causing unnecessary concern.”
He also challenged officials to reveal which homes they are planning to bulldoze – but he was told that HS2 ‘can’t comment on individual cases’.
The row started after campaigners suggested that, according to official maps, the number of homes in Ellesborough Road facing demolition appeared to have risen from eight to 17 after the revised HS2 plans were released last week.
At the time, the Department for Transport said it was unable to confirm the number.
This week the chief executive of HS2 Ltd said the 17-home claim was ‘simply wrong and could cause unnecessary concern for residents in the area’.
Alison Munro said: “The route changes announced recently are likely to affect eight homes in Wendover, not 17 as reported. The owners of these homes should now have been notified by letter and HS2 Ltd representatives will be in touch shortly to discuss the individual circumstances and compensation options.”
Last week four Ellesborough Road homeowners confirmed they had not been told if their homes would be demolished.
One of them, Marion Clayton, said: “All I have seen is a circular, a two-page letter, which sets out the process – but not in any great detail.”
Martin Tett, leader of the 51m group of 18 councils which oppose HS2, said: “It is a bit of a joke for HS2 Ltd to talk about causing concern.
“It is important that HS2 Ltd clarifies the impact on residents as quickly as possible.”
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Wednesday 22 February 2012
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Comments
There are 4 comments to this article
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Hampden
Saturday, January 28, 2012 at 06:42 PMThat old get-out: "we can't comment on individual cases", in other words: "we don't want everyone to know what effect this will have on residents - it may make us look bad". "How many houses are affected?" is not a question about individual cases. I would also like to see the letter which has been sent to the individuals whose properties are to be demolished - presumably they will be offered generous terms provided they do not involve the media.
JR
Saturday, January 28, 2012 at 12:53 PMBH MODS, do get a grip on reality. do please tell me what part of my comment so offended your poxy software? Isn't it time you dragged this website out of the 20th century? Why is it that a 10 year old can create a website that allows the use of the forward slash, that allows the use of line breaks and tabs, that allows users to edit their posts within a timeframe and that will catch offensive language?
JR
Saturday, January 28, 2012 at 12:48 PMPending Moderation
Taxpayer
Saturday, January 28, 2012 at 12:45 PMDear Chief Exec of HS2... Here's an idea, don't build the darn thing. Then, miraculously, people won't suffer unnecessary concern and, at the same time, the campaigners will shut up. I'm surprised that a person of your position didn't think of that one.
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