Conserve the Chilterns and Countryside (CCC) has been formed to protect the Chiltern Hills and countryside, and in particular the area of outstanding beauty around, and between, Amersham, Chesham and Wendover. The Chiltern Hills area, classified as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), is a national treasure belonging to everyone, not just in our generation but for generations to come.
The greatest current threat to our beautiful area is the proposed High Speed 2 (HS2) rail link between London and Birmingham.
Go to www.highspeedrail.org.uk to see how easy it is to contact your MP and let them know that you have concerns about the government's plans for a high speed rail network in the UK. The site makes finding out who your MP is and sending them a tailored email very easy. The more people we have writing to our politicians, the clearer the message will become.
On 30th January, the Sunday Times revealed details of an alternative route for HS2, prepared by Arup, which the government has been keen to suppress. The alternative route travels from central London to Heathrow, then through the Chilterns along a route either next to the M40 or in a tunnel.
The Sunday Times has published a copy of this route and can be seen here (behind the paywall).
CCC believes that the government has an obligation to consider all reasonable routes for HS2, if it is to proceed with the plan. The government’s preferred route traverses the widest part of the Chilterns and causes the greatest environmental damage to the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The alternative route will cause much less environmental damage and has the potential for greater economic benefit by linking the high speed line to the international hub airport at Heathrow.
For further information about the Arup route, view the submission the company made to the Mawhinney Review last year, here.
Lobby your MP
CCC has created a simple template letter to send to your local MP to get them to rethink how HS2 is delivered.
We also provide information on how to find out who your MP is and how to contact them.
CCC has submitted its full response to the government's HS2 Consultation. It drew on many areas of expertise and experience, as well putting forward the views of our supporters.
Our report included the independent view from
Peter Brett Associates,
a leading multi-disciplinary firm of engineering and environmental consultants, who undertook an independent review of the environmental impacts of the proposed scheme on the Chilterns’ Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). We also drew on the expert insight from our legal advisors, SJBerwin, and public affairs experts, Lansons Communications. We also ensured that the views of our supporters 'on the ground' were at the centrepiece of our arguments throughout our reponse.
You can see a summary of the submission and our ten key findings, as well as a summary of the Peter Brett Associates report on our consultation page.
You can read our full response here, including the full Peter Brett Asscoiates report where you will find out how your area will be affected here.
In the wake of the government's recent annoucement on HS2, Conserve the Chilterns and Countryside (CCC) has made it clear it be will be considering legal action in light of the government’s announcement on High Speed Two today.
A Conserve the Chilterns and Countryside commissioned report by leading environmental and engineering consultants, Peter Brett Associates LLP shows that a
longer HS2 tunnel would cost less and preserve the AONB.
Following the resignation of Liam Fox as Defence Secretary and the appointment of Philip Hammond as his successor, the Department for Transport has a new Secretary of State, Justine Greening.
You can go to highspeedrail.org.uk to let her, and your MP, know of your concerns about HS2 by clicking here.
Donate now
You can support the CCC campaign with a financial donation through debit or credit card or via PayPal by clicking the image below:
You can also send a cheque to our address. See here for more information.
