Buckinghamshire Council refuse HS2 lorry road application over traffic fears
They say not enough info has been provided on the impact of HGVs
Buckinghamshire Council has rejected HS2 lorry route plans, saying there isn't enough information on impact.
The A413/A355 corridor from north of Wendover to the M40 at Beaconsfield it the route for lorries being proposed by HS2 Ltd.
However Buckinghamshire Council have refused to approve the applications over concerns that the impact an increase of large scale construction vehicles (HGV's) would have.
The council say despite pressure from HS2 Ltd to approve the plans they cannot do so until additional information is provided. Explaining that the railway have carried out an assessment on the issue but have not shared the key details of this.
Some information has been provided to the council on the numbers of HGV's anticipated but the argument is that there needs to be more known about the consequences on free flow traffic. Particularly because this single route would be used for all work sites south of Aylesbury, as far as Amersham.
The decision to refuse the applications approval has been appealed by HS2 which means the Secretary for Transport will review the issue.
Over 30,000 sign petition against HS2 oak tree removals in Bucks
Martin Tett, Leader of Buckinghamshire Council said:
"Buckinghamshire Council has consistently opposed the building of HS2. Not only do we doubt the strategic case for it, but we also recognised the negative impact it would have on our local communities up and down the line.
"Now that construction has started we are seeing the devastating environmental damage to our beautiful county and we are doing our best to hold HS2 to account.
"The use of the A413/A355 for hundreds of 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 cumulative impact of the additional HS2 HGVs on the A413/A355 will not bring Buckinghamshire to a standstill. HS2 have not provided us with the information we require to give us any reassurance on this issue.
"The lorries have the potential to impact not only on highway traffic but also the local environment in terms of noise and pollution and also on all other road users. It is our responsibility to help ensure that the effects of that construction traffic is minimised as much as possible.
"The proposed routes will affect communities and residents from north of Wendover all the way to Beaconsfield and Buckinghamshire Council cannot and will not approve these applications on this basis, and HS2 has been informed of our position."