AVDC raises concerns about High Speed Rail proposals

Aylesbury Vale District Council has submitted its response to the Department of Transport on the High Speed Rail proposals.

The Council states:
'Aylesbury Vale District Council has considered the consultation on the proposed introduction of an Exceptional Hardship Scheme alongside the proposals for High Speed Rail.
AVDC objects to the proposals for High Speed rail as set out in the Command Paper issued in March 2010 and does not feel that the business case for HS2 has been made. Therefore, without prejudicing the Council’s position in relation to HS2 generally, it is commenting on the proposed Exceptional Hardship Scheme consultation.'

Of particular interest to residents of the Claydons are the proposals for a maintenance depot to be located near the point where the HSR2 line crosses over (or is crossed over by) the East West Rail line, and the eligibility of those with properties in the vicinity of this development to apply to the exceptional hardship scheme for compensation - a point I raised at the special Council meeting where the plans were discussed.

I am glad to report that the Council has picked up on this point in its submission:

'Close Vicinity – This is not defined and there needs to be a flexible approach to this. The exact vicinity of impact will vary depending on the precise circumstances. Again the first principle of whether any loss and impact on value can be demonstrated needs to apply and this in turn will determine the vicinity that the scheme has impacted on. The scheme should also apply to those areas likely to be affected by some of the uses that will be ancillary to the effective operation of the railway including the maintenance depot and any service centres required along the route.'