An artist's impression of HS2
An artist's impression of HS2

A second local MP has vowed to vote against HS2 later this month.

Christopher Pincher joins Conservative colleague Michael Fabricant in opposing the controversial high speed rail line.

With the route due to cut through parts of Lichfield and the surrounding villages which form part of his constitutency, Mr Pincher has said whole parts of the region would be decimated by HS2.

Christopher Pincher
Christopher Pincher

“I have long maintained that the business case for the proposal to build a brand new railway line across virgin countryside in our part of the world just does not stack up,” he said.

“Nor have we been promised the best possible mitigations to reduce the impact of the line on local communities such as Hints, Drayton Bassett and the Packington area, nor offered any decent compensation. Entire villages are blighted by the prospect of the route.

“So I cannot support this legislation and will again have to vote against my own Party.

“I voted against the Second Reading of the HS2 Paving Bill last year and I will vote against the main Bill when it comes before the Commons at the end of the month.”

Mr Pincher has also joined Mr Fabricant in voicing his concern over the fact just one day has been allocated to the debate on HS2 – a timescale described as “wholly inadequate”.

“I am also very disappointed that just one day has been allocated to debate this important topic which concerns so many local people,” Mr Pincher said.

“I do not think that gives the House of Commons enough time to properly discuss the matter.”

Founder of Lichfield Live and editor of the site.