This afternoon Greg Smith MP led a high-level meeting at the Department for Transport with Rail Minister Huw Merriman MP and Cllr Martin Tett, Cllr Steve Broadbent, Cllr Peter Martin and officers from Buckinghamshire Council to demand more funding and cooperation from both HS2 and EWR to repair roads damaged by both projects.
Following a frank and open discussion, the Minister acknowledged current funding package won’t be enough to cover vast cost of reinstating damaged roads. He committed to helping find a more sustainable way forward, but that HS2 must work more constructively with Bucks Council to ensure repairs are done urgently.
Commenting, Greg said, "I’ll continue to work closely with Buckinghamshire Council to get a fair deal that sees those who have broken our roads, fix our roads."
Council Leader Martin Tett said, “I am grateful for the Minister’s time today but the Department for Transport has serious questions to answer about the speed and means of reinstating our roads. We simply cannot wait 10 years until the HS2 project has finished for our roads to be put back together. We are willing to work with HS2 and want to come to position where we have the money available and a jointly agreed methodology for allocating it. I therefore welcome the Minister’s offer to enable HS2 to work better with us for the benefit of our residents and businesses.”
