The Stop HS2 campaign is making an appeal for information to take forward a legal challenge against HS2. Various organisations including councils, environmental groups and action groups are investigating the possibility of a Judicial Review following Justine Greenings decision to proceed with the highly controversial project. The campaign is also launching an appeal for funds for a challenge, which would have to be launched by April.
Stop HS2 Campaign Co-ordinator Joe Rukin said;
“A Judicial Review can be launched under three different grounds, that the decision to proceed was illegal, irrational or the procedure itself was flawed. We obviously believe that the consultation process was completely flawed and the decision to go ahead was totally irrational and are certain there are thousands of people who share those views. However, to be able to prove either of those facts in a court of law, we need evidence. Obviously the campaign and the other organisations have collected a lot of evidence, but we want to make sure no stone is left unturned.”
“All people are different, have different interests and different ways of looking at things. As such, we want to make sure we have looked down every avenue, so we want the public to lets us know about anything they think was wrong with the process, especially concerning their dealings with HS2 Ltd.”
“The other sad fact is that challenging the obvious democratic deficit via the courts will not come cheap. Although some organisations have set money aside for the legal challenge, we cannot afford to fall short as we dig in, so we are appealing for donations from the public.”
People wishing to provide information should email challenge@stophs2.org or write to Stop HS2, 129 Warwick Road, Kenilworth, CV8 1HY. This is also the address to send cheques to ‘Stop HS2’ to. People can also pay directly into our account at Lloyds-TSB, Sort Code 30-94-93, Account no, 34934760.
