HS2 councils warn of judicial review

Transport Secretary Justine Greening is facing further pressure to back down over plans to create a high-speed rail network. 

Local authorities affected by the HS2 London to Birmingham link, including Hillingdon Council, have said they will gather evidence for a judicial review if the plans are not stopped. 

The coalition of 18 councils, known as 51m, has written to Ms Greening urging her to change her decision after more than 70 local groups spoke out against the plans. 

Ray Puddifoot, the leader of Hillingdon Council and vice chairman of 51m, said: “We are as confident as we can be that we will succeed in our judicial review. We believe we’ve got an extremely good case.”

He added: “What is vitally important now is that we continue to support the residents’ groups. We are going to keep the pressure up and keep our residents as informed as possible.”

Gillian Outram, Partner at IBB Solicitors, comments: “I wish the councils good luck in their proposed judicial review but consider that they may be wasting more public money in such a legal challenge.”

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