CLAIMS made in the judicial review that HS2 was still 'just a policy' have led one Harefield campaigner to compare the experience of villagers to that of Alice in Wonderland.

During the High Court hearing, expected to end tomorrow (Thursday), the secretary of state's lawyer claimed the decision taken on HS2 in January this year was a reflection of governemt policy rather than a firm planning decision.

Tim Mould QC said this absolved the government from having to carry out a Strategic Environmental Assessment.

Doreen McIntyre, chairman of Harefield Tenants' and Residents' Association, said the claim simply did not ring true with people in the village.

"We are being told that Harefield is getting construction sites, power stations and 'safeguarding', and then we hear in the review that no decision has yet been taken and it is still just a policy," she told the Gazette this week.

"I feel a bit like Alice in Wonderland – confused and not sure what to believe.

"Harefield is going to take the brunt of the disruption for years so I cannot believe the government are suggesting that nothing has been set in stone.

"It certainly doesn't feel that way to the people here."

At a meeting in the village on Saturday, attended by more than 30 people, there was anger at the talks about compensation that are taking place.

Mrs McIntyre added: "The people who will be most affected are those who have made their homes here and don't want to leave.

"There is no compensation for the disruption the building of HS2 will bring to their lives for years and years."

In common with many opponents of HS2, Mrs McIntyre feels terms such as 'compensate' and 'mitigate' – favourites of the HS2 Ltd planners – in no way address the impact of a three kilometre viaduct across the valley to the south of the village.

"People will get money for their bricks and mortar in some cases if they choose to sell up but that is no compensation for having your life torn apart," she said.

The meeting also heard how the hoped for tunnel under the lakes at Harefield would not be possible, after HS2 Ltd's team ruled it out at a recent community forum.

Instead, complete abandonment of the scheme seems the only hope of salvation, and campaigners remain optimistic.

"We are now hoping the judicial review will make all of this go away and we can get on with our lives," she said.

The week in the High Court - see page 8