Court battle for HS2 group

Members of the Yorkshire Against HS2 group have applied for a judicial review into the proposed high speed rail line which could see them losing their homes.

The group says it is unhappy about HS2’s “maladministration” during the consultation process with residents.

Jonathan Pile, group coordinator, said they had been talking to a barrister since November and had applied for a protected costs order which would cap the legal fees at £10,000.

Originally the HS2 route was due to cut through land between Sheffield and Rotherham.

However, last July it was announced a new route was on the table running near Doncaster.

A consultation on a new route is underway. It is set to follow the M1 and the M18 before heading north past Conisbrough on its way to Leeds, cutting between Mexborough and Denaby.

Mr Pile claims Rotherham residents have already been told their properties won’t be affected and said it undermined the consultation process.

He told the Free Press the group is holding an HS2 alternative conference in March.It will take place at Wakefield town hall as residents in Clayton and Hickleton are also affected.

Former Green Party leader Natalie Bennett will speak, along with Doncaster councillor Sean Gibbons from Mexborough First. The conference will address other options for the line and HS2 representatives have also been invited. Mr Pile wants those against and in favour of the scheme to fill in a consultation form on the group’s website.

A Department for Transport spokesman said: “The Department does not comment on potential or ongoing legal proceedings.”