AN Oxfordshire council will continue its fight with other local authorities after losing a court challenge over the High Speed 2 train project yesterday.
Cherwell District Council was among 15 councils, along with residents’ associations, which saw all seven grounds of appeal over the scheme rejected by the Court of Appeal.
The challenge covered issues like the consultation process, environmental impact and its failure to meet a “public sector equality duty”.
Yet the three judges were split on whether a full strategic environmental assessment (SEA) should be carried out. They therefore gave campaigners permission to bring a further appeal on the SEA to the Supreme Court and the councils have vowed to take this action.
And they also get permission to appeal over whether the scheme complies with the EU’s Environmental Impact Assessment Directive.
The £42.6bn line – to open in 2026 – would go from London to the Midlands and the north through Finmere and Mixbury in Oxfordshire.
Banbury MP Sir Tony Baldry said it was “good news” for opponents and it is “increasingly unlikely” outstanding issues will be resolved by the 2015 General Election.
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