Campaigners to join HS2 question time

Protesters to counter arguments for high speed line

RESIDENTS with questions about HS2 will have them answered by experts, as well as Stop HS2 campaigners who will stop them ‘spinning a yarn’.

Staff from HS2 Ltd will be available to talk about how the project is progressing and answer questions as part of an ongoing ‘programme of information sharing’ with local communities all along the 140-mile route of the first phase.

All Hillingdon residents are welcome to attend the event, on Tuesday, March 8 at Ickenham Village Hall, from 2pm to 7pm.

HS2 CEO Simon Kirby said: “A new high speed rail network will bring significant benefits for the country, but we do understand that it affects peoples’ lives.

“We want to keep on talking to local communities directly about the proposals and these events are a chance to do so. Our specialists will be on hand to help and I would encourage people to come along if they can.”

At the event, HS2 Ltd staff from a range of disciplines including engineering, environment and property will be on hand to answer any queries.

But Hillingdon Against HS2 campaigners are inviting mayoral and GLA candidates along to a counter event alongside the information day to ‘raise more awareness’.

Ruislip resident and campaigner Lottie Jones confirmed the event is not a protest but an offer of support to residents.

She told the Gazette: “From past experiences when they’ve brought these roadshows to town and giving out information, they can never answer questions, and residents often get really frustrated by these events.

“We’ll outside offering support, information and details they’ll be looking for, but probably won’t get inside the hall.”

Mrs Jones, who petitioned at the HS2 select committee, went to a recent similar meeting in Chalfont St Peter to find out what residents can expect.

She said: “Over the past

How they try and put

a positive spin on it is anyone’s guess, but that’s what they

want to do”

be five years we’ve probably had three or four of these events and they’ve all been very similar.

“In Chalfont St Peter, there were no familiar faces, the staff couldn’t read maps and they didn’t know the area.”

The Hillingdon Against HS2 campaigner says residents have been in touch upset at the Ickenham event timings.

“It finishes at 7pm and people who don’t get home from work early can’t get to it. Why don’t they do it on a Saturday or until 8pm?”

She added: “We want to stop HS2 spinning a yarn as they always do.

“How they try and put a positive spin on it is anyone’s guess, but that’s what they want to do and tell people that it’s going to be a wonderful experience, with how they’re going to come and dig up half the borough and clog up the roads with HGVs and stop people getting to and from work.”