U.K. Supreme Court dismissed legal challenge against HS2

This article was last updated on April 16, 2022

Canada: Oye! Times readers Get FREE $30 to spend on Amazon, Walmart…
USA: Oye! Times readers Get FREE $30 to spend on Amazon, Walmart…

The Supreme Court has dismissed the legal challenge opposing the controversial HS2 high-speed rail link to force further examination of the government’s plans.

Protest group HS2 Action Alliance had appealed to the court that the HS2 proposed plans oversee the rules when assessing HS2’s environmental impact.

But the seven Supreme Court judges rejected the claims against the scheme and ruled there was “no reason” why MPs would not be able to examine and debate the plan according to the relevant laws.

The judges have also maintained that there was no further need to refer the case to the European courts.

Transport Minister Baroness Kramer has ‘welcomed’ the court ruling and said: “The government’s handling of the project has been fully vindicated by the highest court in the land.

“We will now continue to press ahead with the delivery of HS2.”

“HS2 will also generate thousands of jobs across the U.K. and provide opportunities to boost skills.”

The HS2 bosses have told that their high speed rail network plans are “on track” for construction work in 2017.

The government is now hopeful to secure passing of Hybrid Bill – the first stage of the work before the general election 2015.

A HS2 spokesperson has said:

“We saw today the Supreme Court unanimously rejecting technical challenges which had no bearing on the need for a new north south railway. We remain on track to get the scheme ready for construction in 2017.

“HS2 is essential in helping rebalance U.K. growth – bringing greater prosperity to the Midlands and the north and delivering essential additional capacity for more trains and passengers across the network.”

HS2AA Campaigns Director, Emma Crane has said to be disappointed with the decision but campaign would continue and they would refer their case to the Aarhus Convention Compliance Committee, a UN body that oversees the application of justice in issues involving public participation in environmental decisions.

Article viewed on Oye! Times at www.oyetimes.com.