Both campaigners and the Government claim victory after one of five cases brought to block the HS2 scheme is upheld.The Government insists its HS2 high-speed rail project has not hit the buffers after a High Court judge ruled the consultation process for compensating those affected was “unlawful”. It was the only successful case among five in which Mr Justice Ouseley had been asked to send the multi-billion pound project back for reconsideration. Despite the decision at London’s High Court, Transport Minister Simon Burns insisted the scheme would not be held up. “This has been a convincing victory for the Government,” he said. “It’s a green light to go ahead. It will not hold up us going ahead with the project, which is in the national interest.” “This is a major landmark victory for HS2 and the future of Britain. “HS2 is the most significant infrastructure investment the UK has seen in modern times and a project the country cannot afford to do without. “The judgment ensures that nothing now stands in the way of taking our plans to Parliament. “We will now move forward as planned with the crucial business of getting the scheme ready for construction in 2017 and delivering enormous benefits for the country.” The decision on compensation was a victory for the High Speed 2 Action Alliance (HS2AA), consisting of more than 70 affiliated action groups and residents’ associations. Human rights lawyer Richard Stein, who helped represent HS2AA, said: “This was never a Nimby …
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