The leader of Staffordshire County Council says it is essential that businesses in Lichfield feel the economic benefit of HS2.
Cllr Philip Atkins’ comments come after the Queen’s Speech outlined plans for Phase 2 of the controversial high speed rail project.
The route between Birmingham and Crewe will see the line cut through parts of Lichfield and surrounding villages.
“From the outset we have made sure that Staffordshire’s communities’ voices are heard in terms of impact and mitigation of HS2,” he said. “But we want to make sure Staffordshire and local businesses share in the economic benefits too, through the development of the Handsacre Link which will see Stafford station benefit from HS2 compatible trains and through the procurement chain in delivering this project.”
Cllr Atkins also welcomed references in the Queen’s Speech to a consultation to help improve social care.
“Funding and delivering decent, long term affordable social care for a growing ageing population is an ongoing challenge for not just this county, but for the country,” he said.
“The Government acknowledged this earlier this year by announcing extra funding to help protect current adult social care service and this reference appears to reaffirm the commitment to deliver a Green Paper on this in the autumn to identify a long term solution to address this issue, which as a county council we would certainly welcome.”
