Conservative Council to Champion Communities Cause on Phase 2 of HS2

Conservative controlled Staffordshire County Council’s transport leader has vowed to fight for compensation and mitigation for HS2 communities, following yesterday’s start of consultation on Phase 2.

Mark Winnington, Cabinet Member for Economy and Infrastructure, said the consultation was an important opportunity for people to have their say on the high-speed train link proposals.  If HS2 goes ahead, it will drive through 45 miles of Staffordshire countryside, with both routes of the second phase to Manchester and Leeds cutting through the county.

Cllr Winnington said, “HS2 will carve up Staffordshire, with this second phase impacting on more communities and a larger slice of the environment, than the first phase.  Since the high speed link was first announced we have been working closely with communities to ensure HS2 Ltd. hears their voice.

“The impact of living in the shadow of this national transport scheme is enormous and HS2 Ltd and the Government have to  recognise that if it does go ahead, residents  face years of uncertainty, living near a construction site as it is built and eventually a high speed train going past their door.

“That’s why are absolutely committed to fighting for meaningful mitigation and compensation for those affected and will be doing everything in our powers  to  lessen the impact of  this second phase, should it go ahead.”

The consultation on Phase 2 started yesterday, Wednesday 17 July and closes on January 31, 2014.  HS2 Ltd Consultation events will take place across communities affected by the scheme including one at Tamworth Assembly Rooms.

The eastern leg, which is proposed to clip parts of Tamworth, would serve stations in the East Midlands, South Yorkshire and Leeds.  The line would connect with the London-West Midlands leg to the east of Birmingham, near Junction 4 of the M6, and then follow the M42 corridor north-east towards Derby and Nottingham.

The western leg of the network would serve the proposed stations at Manchester Airport and Manchester Piccadilly stations.  The line would connect with the London-West Midlands leg near Lichfield in the West Midlands, before heading north-west past Stafford and on towards Crewe.

Mark continued, “This scheme is being forced on Staffordshire without any tangible economic benefits to the county and, just as we have on Phase One, we will be fighting the corner for our communities every step of the way ensure that if the scheme does go ahead they get meaningful mitigation and generous compensation.”

Further details of the consultation and how to have your say are available on HS2 Ltd’s website.