Campaigners fighting to stop a high-speed rail line through Lichfield have accused the Secretary of State for Transport of back-tracking on plans for a public consultation.
Secretary of State Philip Hammond had previously suggested that there would be a chance for discussion on the issues surrounding the HS2 line.
However, he has now said that the consultation will be based on the assumption the line is needed – a decision campaigners have described as “disgraceful”.
Mr Hammond said:
“The consultation next year starts from the premise that the Government believe that a high-speed rail network will be in the United Kingdom’s interest, but it will consult on issues to do with the design of that network, the route and the details of the proposals for the London to Birmingham link.”
His comments have angered protesters who believe a wider scope for discussion is needed to allow them to fully air their concerns about the proposal.
Stop HS2 spokesperson Joe Rukin said:
“This u-turn is absolutely disgraceful. There are massive holes in the business case for HS2 and we have been preparing our responses to the consultation for months.
“We have carefully prepared our arguments based on the facts, and the facts show the business case for HS2 simply isn’t there. Mr Hammond knows that, he knows that a public consultation would tell him that, he knows there are now more questions being asked about the figures and the need for HS2, so he has now scrapped this part of the public consultation.
“This shows that this is a done deal as far as he is concerned. The Secretary of State clearly isn’t interested if there is a business case, if there is a need for HS2, or if there is the money to pay for it. Like a petulant child at Christmas, he just wants his train set.”
