An independent candidate says he will fight for a HS2 station in Lichfield if he wins at the General Election.
Pete Longman will be among the seven hopefuls aiming to be Lichfield’s next MP when voters go to the polls on 4th July.
The managing director of Transport for Britain will stand as an independent candidate.
Mr Longman said seeking to tackle the problems caused by the cancellation of HS2 will be high on his agenda:
“We are at a defining moment in British politics and for Lichfield.
“In the aftermath of the cancelled Phase 2 of HS2, the whole project is at a crossroads with several half-baked alternatives being suggested but nothing decided.
“All of the disruption to local residents and with absolutely nothing to show for it is plainly wrong.
“As MD of Transport for Britain I have been concerned about HS2 for many years and have put forward plans to the Government demonstrating how far better use can be made of Phase 1 services by connecting HS2 with the existing rail network, in particular by replacing the abandoned Eastern Leg with a new station at Streethay to take services to the East Midlands and beyond using the South Staffordshire line.
“If elected I will be tireless in my campaign to bring High Speed Rail to Lichfield.”
Pete Longman
Mr Longman also believes a “radical technology” could be used to enhance the entire HS2 proposal as well as making the country a world leader in innovation.
“Given that High Speed Rail is itself a relatively old technology having been around since the 1970s, we believe a more exciting approach is to utilise the Hyperloop which would enable airline type speeds at around one third of the cost of HS2 and operating at extreme efficiency with almost zero carbon emissions.
“A full feasibility study would cost £1.2million which is a tiny fraction of the amount spent on HS2 so far. It could also be funded from private investors and have much lower operating costs and therefore much lower fares.
“A typical journey time from Lichfield to Manchester would be 10 to 15 minutes.
“It could be developed and built in much less time than HS2 Phase 2 would take.
“Hyperloop can also take freight off the roads and dovetail with Fradley logistics and distribution hub. This will remove thousands of tonnes of carbon emissions.”
Pete Longman
Outside of his transport suggestions, the independent candidate is also keen to engage with the local authority to build new homes, enhance cycling and walking routes and and campaign for a “National Care Service” to manage provision of social care.
He added:
“A vote for me as an independent candidate will be a vote for the future of Lichfield and a better place to live, work and travel.”
Pete Longman
Seven candidates will stand in the Lichfield constituency:
- Sir Michael Fabricant – Conservatives
- Richard Howard – Reform UK
- Pete Longman – Independent
- John Madden – Independent
- Heather McNeillis – Green Party
- Paul Ray – Liberal Democrats
- Dave Robertson – Labour
I’ve raised the potential for an HS2 station for Lichfield on Lichfield live and with Fabricant in the latter it fell on deaf ears as usual.
Dear Pete,
Breaking news…..NOBODY WANTS HS2!
Seriously? Our own airport after that I presume?
Personally I hate HS2! It’s brought nothing but environmental vandalism across the countryside!
PETE REALLY Have you Shares in Hs2 this project this is England not JAPAN.!!
The name Has destroyed people’s lives Ripped up ouy country side and now burdened tax payer I am gutted hearing Hs2 wages paid out for stupid job titles some on £600 a day really
I love lichfield do you we have a a train track already.
Hs2 the New Royal mail scandle to come better spend on existing and bus services and Repair roads
John patrick madden
John Patrick Madden – what are you trying to say? To quote Eric Morcambe: “ all the words but not in the right order”.
John Patrick Madden – please work on your grammar, spelling and punctuation before responding in the comments. I had to read the comment several times before forming a vague idea of what you are going on about. Very poor for someone standing as a candidate.
When I first read this story, I thought Mr Longman’s suggestions were an attempt to introduce some Heath Robinsonesque humour into the election campaigns.
Further research suggests that he might be serious.
I do not wish to be discourteous, but all his suggestions are simply absurd – eg he appears to be unaware that the hyperloop concept has already been exposed as an unachievable engineering nonsense.
Instead of this story, perhaps ‘Lichfield Live’ might wish to cover the likelihood that WCML fares will be heavily increased in an attempt to limit passenger numbers on a severely congested line.
Just one of the many inevitable consequences of cancelling HS2.
Airline ticketing will follow in due course.