Buckinghamshire Council unable to approve HS2 lorry route application on the A422

The junction of the A422 with the A43 near Brackley, which is just over the border in Northamptonshire, was a junction which was highlighted in the HS2 Environment Statement as “One where increased traffic during the most intensive period of construction has a high potential to cause additional intermittent traffic congestion and delay at the junction during the peak period.”

Although the junction is in Northamptonshire, clearly we are concerned that there will be additional congestion at this junction, with potential tailbacks on the A422. It does not seem that HS2 has carried out an assessment of the potential impacts at this junction and therefore we believe that the current proposal will lead to additional congestion. Without additional information from HS2, the Council cannot make a decision on the application.

HS2 have appealed against the Council’s decision not to allow the applications and this will now be considered by the Planning Inspectorate.

Ian Thompson, Corporate Director for Planning, Growth and Sustainability at Buckinghamshire Council said: “Buckinghamshire Council has consistently opposed the building of HS2. The use of the A422 for almost 1,200 heavy lorry movements a day for several years is a massive issue for Buckinghamshire. Before considering lorry route applications, the Council has to ensure that the impact of the additional HS2 HGVs on the A422 will not bring Buckinghamshire to a standstill. HS2 has not provided us with the information we require to give us any reassurance on this issue.”