As the country awaits plans for a new London to Birmingham High Speed Rail (HSR) line, due to be announced tomorrow (Thursday), the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE)[1] is calling for the plans to live up to environmental expectations.

HSR has been promoted as an answer to rising carbon emissions, gaps between regional economies and unemployment. CPRE has published five tests which it says the new line, known as High Speed 2 (HS2), should meet if it is to match the hype while protecting the countryside.

CPRE’s five tests have won the support of a wide range of organisations. CPRE is calling for any new HSR lines to:

1. Protect the local environment
2. Tackle climate change and minimise energy needs
3. Shift existing trips rather than generate new ones
4. Improve local transport
5. Integrate with planning and regeneration

Ralph Smyth, CPRE’s Senior Transport Campaigner, says: “New rail lines can be green as well as good value for money. But this all depends on how routes are chosen and how well they integrate into the wider transport system. So CPRE will be judging HS2 carefully against our five tests for sustainable High Speed Rail.”

CPRE is a supporter of an expanded rail network as well as defender of the countryside [2]. CPRE was heavily involved at both a national level and through its extensive network of local groups during the planning of the Channel Tunnel Rail Link (now know as HS1) through Kent. Widespread community engagement helped ensure that HS1 received local support and met high environmental standards. CPRE believes this approach should be followed for HS2.

The controversy over the proposed Third Runway at Heathrow and current legal challenge [3] by CPRE shows what happens when developers try to ride roughshod over local communities.

Ralph Smyth continues: “High Speed Rail (HSR) could be the low carbon backbone of a sustainable transport system. But communities need to be involved in the planning process and any damage to the countryside needs to be minimised. Careful routing and landscaping of the new line combined with measures to limit flights are needed for HS2 to live up to its promise.”

CPRE has more information about High Speed Rail on its website:
www.cpre.org.uk/campaigns/transport/rail/highspeedrail

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Notes to Editors

1.CPRE, the Campaign to Protect Rural England, is a charity which promotes the beauty, tranquillity and diversity of rural England. We advocate positive solutions for the long-term future of the countryside. Founded in 1926, we have 60,000 supporters and a branch in every county. President: Bill Bryson. Patron: Her Majesty The Queen. www.cpre.org.uk

2.CPRE launched 2026 - A Vision for the Countryside in May 2009, setting out a positive and optimistic vision for the future of the beautiful English countryside in 2026, the charity’s centenary year. The Vision’s key issues include: affordable, high quality housing; urban regeneration; Green Belts; better planning; revitalisation of rural railways; green energy; local food and farming; quality of life; light pollution and valuing the countryside as a national asset. For further information go to www.cpre.org.uk/campaigns/environment/2026-a-vision-for-the-countryside.

3.CPRE challenged the Government’s decision to proceed with the Third Runway in the High Court last month as part of a coalition of local councils and green groups. Judgment is expected in the next week. Some proponents of HSR see it as offering an alternative to flying while others see it as key to expanding Heathrow. More information is available on our website: www.cpre.org.uk/campaigns/transport/airport-expansion/airport-expansion-what-cpre-is-doing