The campaign against HS2 has stepped up another gear this month with some significant news to report. The decision by the Government, as to whether to go ahead with the project, has been delayed.
We were expecting an announcement within the next couple of weeks but Justine Greening, Secretary of State for Transport will instead make a decision in January.
Whilst this still leaves us in limbo, Ruislip Against HS2 believe that this delay can be used to our advantage. It shows that the work we have done so far has been having the desired effect.MPs are taking notice of many of the issues we have been raising.
The letters you have been writing have been getting the message across and pressure is mounting!
Justine Greening has decided she needs more time to take account of The Transport Select Committee report and the responses to the consultation.
Another reason the Government has delayed their decision is so that the feasibility of tunnelling a section of the route through Ruislip, can be considered. Whilst this would solve some of our local problems we are under no illusion that this would improve the situation for much of Hillingdon (or other parts of the route) and we will continue to campaign against HS2 in it's entirety and with renewed vigour!
Hillingdon Against HS2 represented us in parliament at a Lobby Day, helping to inform MPs of all the known flaws in the case for High Speed Rail. Both Ruislip MPs attended.
Justine Greening held a special meeting for MPs to hear their concerns, our own MPs John Randall and Nick Hurd were unable to attend but both made submissions by phone and letter and raised all our local objections.
Our latest fundraising event was a huge success and we would like to thank Ruislip Rugby Club for the use of their Clubhouse.We raised over £800 and we are very grateful to everyone who came along and made it such a fun evening.
We would also like to thank the many local businesses and residents who made kind donations to our raffle.
Some of the money raised will be donated to the fighting fund of STOP HS2, the national campaign group who continue to work hard on our behalf.
We now need to make the most of the extra time we have been given to keep the momentum of the campaign going.
STOP HS2 have released a protest single which we we are helping to promote.Please use the link to hear it.
WE WOULD REALLY LIKE YOU TO BUY THE SONG!
Follow the link to find out how you can buy and upload the song. Proceeds go towards the campaign fund and if we can get the single to No.1 for Christmas it would be fantastic publicity!