Councillor warns HS2 will lead to years of misery for Lichfield residents

A councillor has warned that people living in Lichfield may face years of misery when HS2 is built.

The Government has confirmed that the route between Birmingham and Crewe will be open by 2027 – six years earlier than planned.

George Osborne also revealed that a connection with the West Coast Main Line will be built in Handsacre.

But Cllr Richard Cox, Conservative representative for Armitage with Handsacre, warned locals faced pain without gain during and after the construction of the controversial high speed rail line.

“I have always opposed the HS2 project in principal as serving no economic benefit to the UK, something which has been commented on by leading economists on many occasions and is well documented,” he said.

“On a more local issue, there is no benefit for Lichfield district but all the pain caused by HS2 tearing through the length of the area in particular the ward I represent Armitage with Handsacre.

“Armitage with Handsacre suffered years of disruption with the West Coast Main Line four-track project and had outstanding issues unresolved by Network Rail. We fear the worst again from this unwanted project.”

HS2 will see trains travelling at upto 250mph and will link Birmingham with Crewe when it travels through Lichfield.

But Cllr Cox warned that faster speeds could create additional issues.

“I am concerned about the noise levels from additional trains going through the heart of the village,” he said. “Noise assessments are done on averages, but that is not good enough for me. I have advocated that actual noise levels should be considered when determining how the community will be affected.

“Over 2,000 dwellings are either side of the West Coast Main Line and that is a serious amount of people whose lives may be affected by HS2.

“I am also concerned for the safety of parishioners when you consider high speed rail joining conventional rail less than two miles from the village. Is there a tragedy awaiting us? It does not bare thinking about and I hope and pray it will never happen.”