Buckinghamshire Council holding HS2 to account despite limited powers
Bucks Council's leader says their job is to represent the opinion of local people
Buckinghamshire Council are continuing to challenge HS2 despite limited powers.
In recent months Bucks Council have shared their worries about the impact of HS2 of local chalk streams, increased traffic due to works and design plans for Amersham viaducts.
These are the issue's that they have some control over, but there is a lot of things they can't affect because of the 2017 HS2 Act.
Martin Tett, leader of Bucks Council explains:
"We have very limited powers to stop some of the things that HS2 wants to do.
"Within an act of parliament the government have given themselves immensely wide powers. There is really a great deal they can do without having to ask local councils or people.
"But there are various areas like traffic on the roads and structures that they still need our permission for."
READ MORE: Transport Minister says the 'greater good' of HS2 needs to be considered
However with lots of Bucks residents frustrated by the construction works the council want to reassure people they're holding HS2 Ltd and related companies to account.
Cllr Tett says lots of people during the local elections said HS2 was still a huge issue for them:
"I've knocked on hundreds of doors in the last few months, and I think the feeling of local people is anger that this is still going ahead. Some are just wanting it to be done now.
"But, lot's of people want to make sure if its going to be done the right mitigation is in place, they're held to account and things are done right.
"Bucks Council has historically be opposed to HS2 but we have to sort of accept the government want this done.
"So we are determined to hold them to account for the promises they've made when it was approved in parliament.
"We are checking when they ask permission for things what they have said before, and are making sure they're giving us enough information to understand the impact on local people."
READ MORE: Chiltern's Conservation Board reflects on over a decade of HS2
Tomorrow Greatest Hits Radio will share the views of protestors, and why they're continuing to fight despite the governments position.