Aylesbury MP 'furious' with HS2 over A418 roadworks
Rob Butler & Coldharbour Parish Council have challenged the company.
Aylesbury's MP says he is 'furious' with HS2, because of the roadworks causing delays for the past week.
Rob Butler has joined a long list of people who are angry about the Oxford Road works, which mean we've got temporary traffic lights on the A418 until early October.
The MP says it's an 'absolute disgrace' the company's increased the number of lorries on the road, apparently without looking at the impact.
Local residents have told Rob that they received 'little to no communication' prior to the enabling works taking place.
The MP has contacted HS2 Ltd to seek urgent clarification on reports that HS2 Ltd did not undertake accurate traffic modelling on the Oxford Road, meaning significantly more traffic than expected has led to long delays for local people.
Commenting on the situation, Mr Butler said:
"It is an absolute disgrace that HS2 Ltd has increased the number of lorry movements on the Oxford Road, seemingly without even working out the impact, let alone taking any action to mitigate it.
"Coupled with the enabling works, this has meant traffic is at a virtual standstill at peak times on this major arterial road. I have demanded an immediate explanation from HS2 Ltd, and will be asking the HS2 Minister Andrew Stephenson to investigate it too.
"Residents across the line of route, from Berryfields to Wendover, have always opposed HS2, and are bitterly disappointed that this overpriced project is going ahead. HS2 Ltd knows this and its Chief Executive has promised me personally that the company will be a good neighbour while carrying out its unwanted works.
"A good neighbour does not create traffic pandemonium on our roads without putting in place steps to minimise the disruption and it frankly beggars belief that the appropriate traffic modelling has apparently not taken place.
"This cavalier attitude is not acceptable and it must stop now. As I said following the notice to proceed, I expect HS2 Ltd to treat local residents with respect and will continue to hold the company's feet to the fire and call out its unacceptable behaviour publicly."
Fairford Leys' council challenge HS2
Coldharbour Parish Council also aren't happy.
They've met with HS2 and contractors and say another access road at Fleet Marston's delayed, meaning potentially even more construction traffic by Fairford Leys in the future.
In an update on Facebook, the Council said:
"We are aware that this is only the beginning of the HS2 works and more is to come.
"We raised the concern that there was no formal, timely prior notification of these works (we expected November) and asked them to investigate their own internal processes as to why this happened.
"We also asked about the notification of alternative routes. There seems to be blame shifting between HS2 and Buckinghamshire Council."
So what have HS2 got to say for themselves?
Well they say they're working with the Council and contractors 'as a matter of urgency' to try and reduce the disruption.
An HS2 spokesperson said:
"Safety is our top priority and the temporary traffic signalling on the Oxford Road was put in place by our partners at SGN to allow them to prepare for the start of nearby utility work.
"We are working with them and the local highways authority as a matter of urgency to find a way to reduce disruption as far as possible during these essential works."
Work is scheduled to finish on 4th October.