Action groups fighting the proposed high-speed rail link between London and Lichfield are urging local residents to take part in the consultation process that will play a major part in influencing the Government’s decision on whether to go ahead with the project.
Thousands of Staffordshire residents visited the recent HS2 information roadshows held in the Guildhall in Lichfield, and Whittington, Lichfield and Kings Bromley Action Groups collected well over 2,000 names to add to the national Stop HS2 petition.
But the groups say it is crucial that everyone who signed the petition also responds to the seven questions the Department of Transport and HS2 Ltd have formulated to assess public opinion of the £32billion scheme.
A spokesman for the action groups said:
“The people of the Lichfield area made it clear at the roadshow that they do not want this line to built. But the roadshow was nothing more than a propaganda exercise for HS2. There was no attempt by the DfT or HS2 Ltd to collate the views expressed, and as we have seen from Philip Hammond’s quotes during the roadshow, the Government is prepared to ignore opposition to push through this white elephant.
“The only way they will change their mind is if they have concrete evidence that public opinion is overwhelmingly against them, and the best chance to provide that is to answer the seven questions.”
The consultation process ends at midnight on July 29 so all answers to the questions must be returned by that date. The questions are available at the Department for Transport website and additional evidence to your response can be submitted by emailing highspeedrail@dft.gsi.gov.uk. You can also respond to the consultation by downloading the response form and sending it to Freepost RSLX-UCGZ-UKSS, High Speed Rail Consultation, PO Box 59528, London SE21 9AX.
The action groups spokesman added:
“The consultation questions have been designed to encourage responses that appear to support HS2, so it is important that you think carefully about your answers. Don’t put a simple yes or no answer, but in your own words qualify your answer with reasons why you don’t want HS2 to be built.
“If you think you may be affected by the later stages of HS2, the extensions to Manchester and Leeds, you should respond now, as, while you will be able to comment on the choice of routes, there will not be another consultation on the principle of HS2 for the route north of Lichfield.
“We also suggest you visit www.wpcstophs2.wordpress.com and www.lichfieldagainsthighspeedtrains.org.uk for more information on the consultation process.”
This is disgusting propoganda! Many people want to see an alternative to car and air. Give HS2 a chance!