MP ready to break the party line on HS2 plans

Apr 1 2010 Buckinghamshire Advertiser

CHERYL Gillan told members of the public she would be prepared to speak out against high-speed rail plans and put her constituents first, even if it means defying Tory policy.

The MP for Chesham and Amersham was questioned by a member of the audience at the public meeting on why the Tory manifesto supported a high-speed rail link.

Mrs Gillan and fellow Conservative, Aylesbury MP David Lidington, were asked: "Would you support your constituents on getting it removed from the manifesto, and if it comes to it, would you defy the party whip on the issue?"

Mrs Gillan agreed that high-speed rail was promised if the Conservatives were to get into government, but the preferred route which has been announced was not part of the plans. High Speed Two proposals include building the rail link through the Chiltern Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty as part of the government's 'preferred' route.

She said: "I would defy the party whip, be very, very, sure of that. My constituency comes first in all instances but I am well placed to speak to the secretary of state, if it is a Conservative government, to say that this is not a preferred route for this county.

"If this route ever comes to

fruition there will be a lot more than the blight on the properties nearby, the impact on the whole area would be absolutely phenomenal."

She said the Secretary of State for Transport, Lord Adonis, had told her the results of an environmental impact assessment, which outlines the parts of the Chilterns which would come under threat, would not be published until after the general election.

Mr Lidington, whose constituency includes Great Missenden, said: "We have got to focus on changing the mind of the Department for Transport or whoever is secretary of state after the election."

He urged people to reply to the DfT's consultation on the 'exceptional hardship scheme', for those who believe they will be adversely affected and their homes blighted, by the closing date of May 20.

Also speaking out against the proposed route were county councillors Patricia Birchley, cabinet member for transport Val Letheren, and representatives from The Chiltern Society, The Chilterns Conservation Board and Chiltern Countryside Group.