HS2 update The WPC HS2 working group has had a busy few weeks. Lord Berkeley has, through a few strategically placed questions in the House, learnt that while government was telling us and Rob Butler MP that there was no way to “reopen the Act” for Wendover, at Bromford in Warwickshire the DfT is asking for a Transport and Works Act Order to substantially extend tunnelling there. The impetus behind the change at Bromford apparently came from the construction consortium up there, BBV. EKFB has always been “encouraged” by HS2/DfT to only deliver to the Act. So even if the Wendover tunnel is the greatest "good idea" ever, it’s not in their gift. Lord Berkeley has also been involved in a House of Lords debate on HS2 phase 2. He was able to use the way that Wendover has been treated as an example of poor practice by HS2/DfT.
We have received a response to our Freedom of Information Act (FOI) request. As with many of these things what is left out is as interesting as what is left in. A classic example is on the construction programme. The DfT/HS2 have always insisted that our tunnel took longer to build. It’s not the case and, on 8 December 2017 a document shows that it was possible to mitigate the risk of delay. By 10 April 2019 this has morphed into an unacceptable significant delay. No reason is apparent but HS2/DfT have clung to that negative interpretation ever since.
evaluate our scheme looks like a number made up by someone who didn’t want to do the job. We’re told that £80k is more realistic. It is an interesting insight into government thinking that a proposal that saves the AONB, simplifies the most complex section of construction outside of an urban area, saves time and £300,000,000 isn’t worth even that modest investment.
On a local operational level we have received complaints that HS2 vehicles are being driven aggressively in the Bowood Lane area. This has been reported to Fusion’s community engagement team. We have also had sight of responses from Action is promised. the Minister triggered by two letters, one written by us and a quite excellent one written by Rob Butler MP. The responses All of the letters referred to here can do reinforce the feeling that Wendover be found on the WPC website, www. has not been treated fairly in this matter. wendover-pc.gov.uk. Much is made of cost. A notional £500k to Tom Walsh
Thank You Wonderful Wendover Wonderful is not a word that has been used often in 2020, but we want to use it today. It has been wonderful to see how our community has come together and the outpouring of support you have given to us. Back in March the future looked bleak: we honestly weren’t sure how we’d survive and if Rumsey’s would make it through until Christmas. We are most definitely still here. We have our full team of wonderful chocolatiers and baristas back and the challenges of 2020 are serving to make us stronger. Christmas is our favourite time of year, we love being a part of so many of your festive traditions. Whilst it might be a bit different this year, we will do all we can to help you make it… wonderful. Rumsey’s Handmade Chocolates www.wendovernews.co.uk
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Wendover News December 2020
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