Councils have today voiced their frustration and disappointment at the news that the new High Speed rail link between Birmingham and London will cut through Buckinghamshire.

The details on High Speed 2 (HS2) were announced today (Thursday March 11) by Lord Adonis, along with the publication of a Government White Paper on the new rail link. HS2 would be the second high speed rail link in the UK (the first being the Channel Tunnel rail link) from London to the West Midlands.

Leader of Buckinghamshire County Council, David Shakespeare, said: 'It's ironic that HS2 will give Buckinghamshire all the environmental disadvantages while promoting economic benefits elsewhere. Our residents won't benefit as the trains will pass through the county without stopping, simply leaving Buckinghamshire with huge damage to our environment and Green Belt.'

Buckinghamshire County Council Cabinet Member for Transport, Valerie Letheren, said: 'Better and more economically beneficial routes are available and we have met with the Minister to put forward a strong case for the route to follow the current West Coast Mainline. This route is supported not only by all Buckinghamshire councils, but also by Milton Keynes and the neighbouring authorities. It is very disappointing that the Government has chosen to ignore the unanimous views of the local authorities involved.'

Buckinghamshire County Council Cabinet Member for Planning & Environment, Martin Tett, said: 'Whilst we understand the national economic importance of HS2 and of speeding up the link between London and Birmingham, we feel that the irreparable damage to our unique environment and in particular the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty is too high a price to pay. The County Council, along with our District colleagues will continue to fight this decision on behalf of our beautiful county and its residents.'

Chiltern District Council Cabinet Member for Transport, Nicholas Rose, said: 'We will continue to fight this decision on behalf of our beautiful district and our residents.'

A Government-owned company called High Speed Two reported to Government in December 2010 with a proposed route for the rail link. Today’s White Paper has been based on this report. As can be seen from the White Paper there were only a limited number of routes from London to Birmingham that HS2 could take with all of the options going through and impacting on Buckinghamshire

During the writing of the report representatives from the County and District Councils have been strongly lobbying Lord Adonis and MPs along with the High Speed Two Company to ensure that Buckinghamshire's residents were protected, and that there was no lasting damage to the unique landscape.

In a joint letter to Lord Adonis the Leaders of the County and District Councils as well as Milton Keynes Council proposed that:

*    An alignment following broadly the West Coast Main Line corridor as already advocated by Network Rail
*    Such an alignment should include an intermediate station near Milton Keynes, thereby supporting the creation of housing and jobs in the Milton Keynes South Midlands growth area, and creating a valuable interchange with the future East-West Rail route.
*    Collectively, the above would deliver for the County and Milton Keynes significant economic and accessibility advantages whilst minimising the environmental disbenefit.

However these proposals have not been taken on board and HS2 is set to go through Buckinghamshire from Denham in the south east through to the boundary with Brackley in the north west.

There will be a public consultation on the White Paper.