HS2 campaign won't be 'bought off by tunnel'

CAMPAIGNERS against HS2 have vowed ‘Ruislip cannot be bought off’ by any sort of tunnel.

With a decision on the £32billion high-speed line now postponed until the new year, speculation has grown that the government wants to quieten the opposition by building tunnels at the most contentious parts of the route.

It was reported that £500million had been found to submerge the line under the Chilterns.

Ruislip Against HS2 chairwoman, Lottie Jones, welcomed the delay, but told the Gazette: “We have to remember that we don't want a tunnel.

“They are not any more environmentally friendly and the devastation they cause is terrible. They would have to bore a great big hole in the middle of Ruislip.”

In December last year the Gazette revealed that the option of building a £350m tunnel under Ruislip had been dismissed by the previous transport secretary, Philip Hammond, on cost grounds.

But with his replacement Justine Greening considering her options, it could still be back on the table.

Mrs Jones continued: “Even if there is a tunnel we will still oppose the plans in their entirety. They cannot buy us off. We won’t stop campaigning. It is all or nothing.”

Roundways resident, Councillor Douglas Mills (Con, Manor), added: “We are encouraged by this delay which indicates there is a lot of discussion going on, and our information is it is too close to call.”