Note for Greater and Haddenham and LAFs Re: Petition received from the residents of Sedrup regarding HS2’s proposed realignment of the A418 Background Phase 1 of the HS2 (high speed) rail line is proposed to pass through from north to south, aligned close to the western edge of the Aylesbury built-up area. The Government has created HS2 Ltd to undertake the work required to prepare a Hybrid Bill to submit to Parliament at the end of 2013. The Hybrid Bill will give powers to HS2 Ltd to compulsorily purchase the land needed to build and operate the line. As such, the local authorities will have limited powers, if any, over the consenting of ancillary infrastructure such as road realignments. Road crossings of a new railway line can be built either ‘on-line’ or ‘off-line’. An ‘on-line’ crossing requires the road to be closed for the duration of works to create the new bridge for the road across the line. An ‘off-line’ crossing can be built while the original road remains in use, then the route swapped once the new bridge is in place. It is also possible to build a temporary crossing, re- route the road, build a permanent crossing on the original route, and then re- route the road back again to its old alignment. This is inevitably costly and is no doubt a factor in HS2’s proposals. HS2’s proposal for the A418 at Sedrup HS2 Ltd are currently proposing to realign the A418 to the south of the existing road, as shown below: A realignment towards Hartwell House is not possible because the House and Garden are Grade 1 listed and as such are protected from encroachment by legislation. The petitioners’ view is that the proposed rerouting will cause unnecessary blight to their properties and could be averted completely by maintaining the current route of the A418. Residents are seeking confirmation that compensation for their properties will be provided by the government. They ask that the County Council give positive support to the petition and act to resist any proposed rerouting of the A418.

County Council’s position The County Council continues its firm opposition to the HS2 project. Nevertheless we recognise that we should work with HS2 Ltd to achieve the best possible outcomes for our residents should the project go ahead. The Council’s position is that it will continue to work with HS2 Ltd and local stakeholders to try to reach a satisfactory outcome regarding the A418 realignment. The County Council would not support a road crossing constructed ‘on-line’, since this would lead to the closure of the A418 and lengthy diversions for a period of at least 18 months. It will therefore require any crossing to be built ‘off-line’. It should be noted, however, that the powers given to HS2 Ltd via the Hybrid Bill will effectively supersede any powers that the County Council may possess. Residents should therefore direct their concerns principally to HS2 Ltd.

Senior Manager Place Service Bucks County Council