HS2 Having had discussions with Rob Butler, the working group is looking at refreshing the approach to the Mined Tunnel proposal. Rob is not keen to keep pushing the scheme if new elements are not included. We will be stressing the cost of the HS2 scheme and comparing our scheme to it. We will also be focusing on the poor engineering and management performance of HS2. Also, the weakness of the already weak business case post COVID-19. We are also pursuing a strategy showing that ignoring the Mined Tunnel proposal is an example of poor decision making on financial matters and on engagement. We feel that Wendover cannot be unique and that this casual attitude to good ideas and to saving public money must be being replicated route wide. Rob Butler received a letter from the HS2 Minister once again ignoring our detailed technical information and repeating the inaccuracies of the past. Michael Byng, our costs expert, and Lord Berkeley are addressing
the errors it contains, as it refers to areas that The working group had a meeting with EK. they have particular knowledge of. They are now EKFB standing for Eiffage Kier Ferrovial BAM. So that is two extra vultures DfT have refused point blank to allow us to to feed. We pushed them on the noise see any evidence, from formal reviews, from situation. They still haven't got definitive engineering opinion or from HS2’s costing answers. We pushed them on the cricket club experts, that might support their position. We and the ground investigation works. Nothing are looking to continue the questions in the substantive to report. House of Lords in a determined attempt for us to get sight of the supposed reviews and consideration reports that DfT say they looked I normally like to keep you abreast of what at and rejected our scheme. To that end Mark Thurston is up to. He’s been reported Baroness Young and Lord Berkeley are working quite widely saying that HS2 is “Britain's with our lobbying advisor to develop searching biggest environment project”. You’ll note he didn’t slip positive into the phrase. He was questions. quickly shot down by the people that know The Transport Committee Chairman Huw about these things: RSPB, Friends of the Merriman cannot meet with us, but he would Earth, and other experts. There is apparently receive a written submission from WPC a word for what Mark was doing. It’s called “Greenwashing” and Mark was caught at it outlining our proposal. on World Environment Day. I’d advise the CEO The Treasury also asked for sight of our of a business that is, it appears, ignoring the proposal. The Treasury is the real deal, charged natural cycle, as it grubs up hedgerows and with balancing the books after COVID-19, a flattens ancient woodland, to perhaps steer saving like we’ve offered must be interesting clear of the green issues. to them. Tom Walsh
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Wendover News July 2020
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