High Speed 2 Rail Link
Latest News
May 2013
HS2 has recently launched a consultation on the HS2 Phase One Draft Environmental Statement. This consultation closes on 11th July 2013 and gives you the opportunity to comment on the environmental impacts assessed along the Phase one London to West Midlands route, as well as the measures identified for managing and reducing them.
Full details can be found at: www.hs2.org.uk/draft-environmental-statement
The two key local Community Forum Area Reports can be downloaded here:
Draft HS2 Environmental Statement (Area 14) May 2013
Draft HS2 Environmental Statement (Area 15) May 2013
There are also a vast array of related documentation available, including maps, at:
www.hs2.org.uk/draft-environmental-statement/document-library
If you have any difficulty downloading documents, paper copies of the two local Community Forum Area Reports (14 and 15) and local maps are available at Brackley, Middleton Cheney and Woodford Halse libraries. Copies are also available at the local consultation events. The Second of these events takes place on Friday 14th June betwewen 12 noon and 8pm at Brackley Town Hall.
Alternatively, you can order copies, free of charge, by telephoning 0300 1231102 (approxiamate delivery time of 2 working days)
SNC is currently drafting a comprehensive response to the Draft Environmental Statement - this will include, where possible, comments recieved by Wednesday 19th June from District Parishes and local community groups. Please send these to david.allen@southnorthants.gov.uk clearly labelled 'HS2 Draft ES comments'
The final response document will be available on this webpage on 1st July 2013
March 2013
A Paper setting out an overview of the SNC role on HS2 matters is available here.
14th January 2013
Download the Cabinet report setting out the SNC response to the consultation on Compensation and Safeguarding here.
26th November 2012
Following the announcement of the Property and Safeguarding and Compensation consultations, HS2 have organised a series of public consultation roadshow events. Whilst the events in South Northamptonshire are not until January 2013, you are invited to visit any of the events published below and speak to HS2 staff. You can either respond at any of these events or use the information provided to inform your written response prior to the closing date of Thursday, 31st January 2013.
| 29 Nov 2012 | Chelmsley Wood | The Loft at the Bluebell Centre West Mall (above Asda) Chelmsley Wood Shopping Centre Chelmsley Wood B37 5TN |
12.00pm - 8.00pm |
| 01 Dec 2012 | Regents Park Estate | Bengali Workers Association Surma Community Centre 1 Robert Street London NW1 3JU |
9.00am - 5.00pm |
| 03 Dec 2012 | Ruislip | Barn Hotel West End Road Ruislip Middlesex HA4 6JB |
12.00pm - 8.00pm |
| 04 Dec 2012 | Middleton |
Middleton Recreation Room
|
12.00pm - 8.00pm |
| 08 Dec 2012 | Southam | Graham Adams Centre St James Road Southam CV47 0LY |
9.00am - 5.00pm |
| 11 Dec 2012 | Kenilworth | The Kenilworth Centre Abbey End Car Park Kenilworth CV8 1QJ |
12.00pm - 8.00pm |
| 15 Dec 2012 | Stoke Mandeville | Stoke Mandeville Stadium and Olympic Lodge Hotel Guttmann Road Aylesbury HP21 9PP |
9.00am - 5.00pm |
| 05 Jan 2013 | Water Orton | The Link 4 New Road Water Orton B46 1QU |
9.00am - 5.00pm |
| 08 Jan 2013 | Hints | Hints Village Hall School Lane Hints Tamworth B78 3DN |
12.00pm - 8.00pm |
| 09 Jan 2013 | Chipping Warden | Chipping Warden Village Hall Culworth Road Chipping Warden OX17 1LB |
1.00pm - 8.00pm |
| 11 Jan 2013 | Calvert Green | Calvert Green Community Centre Cotswolds Way Calvert Green MK18 2FJ |
12.00pm - 8.00pm |
| 12 Jan 2013 | Aylesbury | Wendover Memorial Hall Wharf Road Aylesbury HP22 6HF |
9.00am - 5.00pm |
| 15 Jan 2013 | Offchurch | Offchurch Village Hall School Hill Offchurch CV33 9AL |
1.00pm - 8.00pm |
| 16 Jan 2013 | Brackley | Brackley Leisure Centre Springfield Way Brackley NN13 6JJ |
12.00pm - 8.00pm |
| 18 Jan 2013 | Lichfield | The Guildhall 38 Bore Street Lichfield WS13 6LU |
12.00pm - 8.00pm |
25th November 2012
On 25th October 2012, Patrick McLoughlin, the Secretary of State for Transport, announced the launch of a Property and Compensation Consultation for Phase 1 of HS2 between London and the West Midlands.
The consultation began on Thursday 25th October 2012 and will close on Thursday 31st January 2013.
The Government believes that compensation for property owners affected by the HS2 proposals must reflect the significant impact that comes with the construction of a high speed rail line. Past experience of large infrastructure projects has shown that the effect on local property markets is at its highest during the planning, design and construction phase of a project.
Given the impact of the construction of HS2, the Government believes it is appropriate to go above and beyond what is required by law. We are therefore proposing to introduce discretionary adjustments to the existing system as well as wholly additional measures.
The consultation asks for your views on the detail of the Government’s proposals, which include:
- A streamlined system of advanced and voluntary purchase to simplify the process for property owners in the safeguarded area and provide greater certainty for those immediately outside it
- A sale and rent back scheme to allow homeowners whose property will need to be demolished to sell their homes but remain living in them as tenants until the properties are required for the railway
- A hardship scheme to help those that need to move during the development of HS2, but are unable to sell their home despite being outside both the safeguarded area and the voluntary purchase zone
- A series of measures designed to provide confidence in properties above tunnels; and
- a framework for working with local authorities, housing associations and affected tenants to agree a joint strategy to replace any social rented housing which is lost.
For more information please download the Property an Compensation Consultation
25th October 2012
On 25th October 2012, Patrick McLoughlin, the Secretary of State for Transport, announced the launch of a Safeguarding Consultation for Phase 1 of HS2 between London and the West Midlands.
The consultation began on Thursday 25th October 2012 and closes on Thursday 31st January 2013.
The Secretary of State for Transport proposes that safeguarding directions be issued to protect the HS2 Phase 1 route between London and the West Midlands route. The aim of this measure is to ensure that new developments along this route do not affect the ability to build or operate HS2, or lead to excessive additional costs.
The consultation focuses on the proposed safeguarded directions and the planning aspects of the safeguarded area. It sets out our current views on the necessary land required in this respect.
Those who are particularly interested in the effects that safeguarding might have on individual properties in terms of compensation for any blight should participate in the Property and Compensation consultation, which is more directly relevant to these issues.
For more information please download the Safeguarding Consultation
Safeguarding consultation maps (Maps 48 - 64)
These drawings show the maps and plans for Oxfordshire & Northamptonshire.
Please note: these files are very large and it may take your computer some time to download each file depending on your internet connection speed and your computer hardware.
These maps are produced at A1 scale. When printing these maps please remember to ensure that your printer settings are set so the map is ‘scaled to fit page’ or ‘shrink to fit page’. Otherwise the map may not print out correctly. Please note exact wording of printer settings will vary depending on the make of your printer. Please refer to the manufacturer’s website or your user manual for details.
Map 49 - Volume 3 Key Plan (maps 48-64)
Map showing the route covered in Vol 3, Oxfordshire & Northamptonshire, and each safeguarding map in the volume. Also shows stations and depots - Drawing Number HS2-HS2-PL-MAP-000-000049
Map 48 - Route passes Chetwode
Safeguarding Consultation map showing Chetwode - Drawing number HS2-HS2-PL-MAP-000-000048
Map 50 - Route passes Newton Purcell and crosses A4421
Safeguarding Consultation map showing Newton Purcell and crossing A4421 - Drawing number HS2-HS2-PL-MAP-000-000050
Map 51 - Route crosses A421
Safeguarding Consultation map showing route crossing A421 - Drawing number HS2-HS2-PL-MAP-000-000051
Map 52 - Route passes between Westbury and Mixbury
Safeguarding Consultation map showing route as it passes between Westbury and Mixbury - Drawing number HS2-HS2-PL-MAP-000-000052
Map 53 - Route crosses Brackley Road (A422) south of Turweston
Safeguarding Consultation map showing route as it crosses Brackley Road (A422) - Drawing number HS2-HS2-PL-MAP-000-000053
Map 54 - Route passes Turweston and crosses A43
Safeguarding Consultation map showing route as it passes Turweston and crossing A43 - Drawing number HS2-HS2-PL-MAP-000-000054
Map 55 - Route passes Radstone
Safeguarding Consultation map showing Radstone - Drawing number HS2-HS2-PL-MAP-000-000055
Map 56 - Halse Copse
Safeguarding Consultation map showing Halse Copse - Drawing number HS2-HS2-PL-MAP-000-000056
Map 57 - Route passes Greatworth
Safeguarding Consultation map showing Greatworth - Drawing number HS2-HS2-PL-MAP-000-000057
Map 58 - North of Greatworth, south east of Thorpe Mandeville
Safeguarding Consultation map showing route to north of Greatworth and south east of Thorpe Mandeville - Drawing number HS2-HS2-PL-MAP-000-000058
Map 59 - Route crosses Banbury Lane at Lower Thorpe
Safeguarding Consultation map showing route crossing Banbury Lane at Lower Thorpe - Drawing number HS2-HS2-PL-MAP-000-000059
Map 60 - Route passes near Welsh Road to east of Edgcote
Safeguarding Consultation map showing route as it passes near Welsh Road to east of Edgcote - Drawing number HS2-HS2-PL-MAP-000-000060
Map 61 - Route passes to south and east of Chipping Warden
Safeguarding Consultation map showing route as it passes to south and east of Chipping Warden - Drawing number HS2-HS2-PL-MAP-000-000061
Map 62 - Route passes to north of Chipping Warden
Safeguarding Consultation map showing route as it passes to north of Chipping Warden - Drawing number HS2-HS2-PL-MAP-000-000062
Map 63 - Route passes Lower Boddington
Safeguarding Consultation map showing route as it passes Lower Boddington - Drawing number HS2-HS2-PL-MAP-000-000063
Map 64 - Route passes to north west of Lower Boddington
Safeguarding Consultation map showing route as it passes to north west of Lower Boddington - Drawing number HS2-HS2-PL-MAP-000-000064
18th July 2012
Policy Committee Report
On 17th July 2012 the Policy Committee considered an update on HS2 matters.
13th July 2012
South Northants Council has contributed to a series of circular walks that follow the HS2 route through South Northamptonshire.
| Download | Location |
| Leaflet 1 | - Greatworth (and leaflet cover) |
| Leaflet 2 |
- Turweston / Whitfield - Radstone |
| Leaflet 3 |
- Culworth / Edgecote - Chipping Warden - Boddington / Aston Le Walls |
June 2012
HS2 Visual Impacts Assessed
In answer to the question ‘what will HS2 actually look like’ South Northants Council has commissioned a project to actually draw up a set of images to help inform local residents.
By overlaying pictures of the track, gantry and security fencing onto photographs of key sites it is possible to give a realistic impression of what HS2 might look like.
These artists’ impressions will now be used by South Northants Council, Parish Councils and Community groups as the basis for negotiating mitigation measures to reduce its impact – on noise, visual impacts, habitats and on listed buildings and conservation areas.
| Download | Location |
| A43 Brackley, South to Turweston, Radstone, North of Radstone | |
| South to Lower Thorpe, Lower Thorpe, South of Culworth | |
| Location Assessment 3 | Edgcot Battlefield, Trafford Bridge |
| Boddington, Road to South East of Thorpe Mandeville | |
| A43, Radstone, Halse Copse | |
| Lower Thorpe, Trafford Bridge for Edgcot Battlefield | |
| Boddington | |
1st May 2012.
HS2 Ltd Parish and Community Liaison – Key questions Aide Memoire
SNC has prepared an aide-memoire to assist Parish Councils, Community groups and individuals to ask the key questions in both the newly established Community Forums and directly with HS2 ltd.
The Aide Memoire can be downloaded here.
January 16th 2012
The SNC Cabinet will consider the HS2 Update Report at its Meeting on 16th January 2012.
South Northants Council has prepared an update of the HS2 impact mapping included in the response to the HS2 consultation. These maps have been updated (18th April 2012) to show the size of proposed cuttings and embankments. The maps can be downloaded as:
January 10th 2012
On January 10th 2012 the Government announced its intention to proceed with HS2 with the first phase being from London to Birmingham. The proposed route is broadly as previously announced as the ‘preferred route option’.
The Minister announced 2 refinements to the proposed route through South Northants:
1. An extension of the ‘green tunnel’ (cut and cover) around Chipping Warden from ½ mile to 1½ miles with the aim of avoiding the battlefield site, Roman villa and the view from Edgcote House. The route of the line has been moved further to the east of Chipping Warden and the new tunnel will proceed past Aston Le Walls and no longer includes a deep open cutting across the former airfield.
2. Lowering the track past Greatworth and putting the line in a new 1½ mile ‘green tunnel’ (cut and cover) past Greatworth, reducing visibility.
Revised maps for the proposed route can be accessed here:
- Turweston to Brackley North East (*4MB)
- Brackley North East to Greatworth (*4MB)
- Greatworth to Edgcote (*4MB)
- Edgcote to Lower Boddington (*4MB)
- Lower Boddington to Radbourn (*4MB)
- Map of whole HS2 route through South Northants District (*6MB)
Other documents are available from the DFT website.
Next steps will include:
I. The setting up of a series of Forums to consider a) planning matters in Northamptonshire and Oxfordshire (similar forums will be convened for other Counties), b) a Community Forum to involve Parish Councils and community groups along the route in Northamptonshire and Oxfordshire (similar forums will be convened for other Counties) and c) a National forum to consider environmental policy matters.
II. Consultation on land safeguarding for the route will take place in the Spring, with decision in Autumn 2012 – no firm dates are yet available.
III. Consultation on compensation for properties and interests the length of the route will take place in the Spring, with decision in Autumn 2012 – no firm dates are yet available.
IV. Public consultation on the Environmental Statement is now planned for Spring 2013 (on this website is a new Habitat impact assessment of the HS2 route prepared by the Wildlife Trust for SNC)
SNC will consider the detail of the announcement and the detail of the route changes through reports to Cabinet and Council in due course.
January 9th 2012
Report commissioned by SNC from wildlife Trust BCN.
This Report has now been published and is available to view:
Ecological Impacts of HS2 and the mitigation response-technical document
August 1st 2011
SNC response to Dft HS2 Consultation available.
SNC have submitted a detailed response to the DfT HS2 consultation. It can be accessed at SNC response to DfT HS2 consultation. The report was considered by Policy Committee on 4th July, Cabinet on 11th July and adopted at Full Council on 27th July.
May 19th 2011
HS2 Co briefing for elected members
The HS2 Co organised a briefing for elected members in Northamptonshire, which was held at Springfields on 18th May 2011. The HS2 Co presentation can be accessed here. The questions used by SNC Councillors can be accessed here.
May 10th 2011
HS2 consultation events in South Northamptonshire District.
SNC has received the attached notice: High Speed Rail Roadshows from the HS2 company of a number of public consultation events in South Northamptonshire, which residents are encouraged to attend. Residents may wish to consider the attached questions.
May 10th 2011
Invitation to Parish and Town Councils to contribute to SNC response to HS2.
The High-Speed Rail (HS2)Consultation letter invites Parish and Town Councils to submit their views on the HS2 consultation to help frame the response by SNC.
February 28th 2011
The Government announces the HS2 consultation. For more information on the documents, maps and details of forthcoming events please go to:
Paper copies of these documents are available at no charge via http://shop.dft.gov.uk/highspeedrail/ or by telephone on 0300 321 1010
HS2 Ltd newsletter via the link below:
- www.hs2.org.uk/news/Newsletter-12-65268
December 20th 2010
The Department for Transport has confirmed that it will consult on a preferred route almost identical to the Optimised Preferred Route published in September 2010. This route passes to the East of Brackley, but has been moved a fraction further to the East at Lower Thorpe and Chipping Warden. The public consultation is due to commence in February 2010.
Route Plans
| Area Covered |
Drawing ID
|
| Brackley |
|
| Greatworth | HS2-ARP-00-DR-RW-04016 |
| Thorpe Mandeville | HS2-ARP-00-DR-RW-04017 |
| Boddingtons | HS2-ARP-00-DR-RW-04018 |
More Information
- The Council responses
- Link to Local Authority Consortium – 51M (This web site brings together research and analysis prepared by Local Authorities along the length of the proposed route, including a detailed response to an enquiry into HS2 held by the Transport Select Committee in June and July 2011)