Campaigners say changes to the plans for HS2 show the original scheme wasn’t thought through properly.
Lichfield has already seen amendements to the controversial line, with the route now set to pass under the A38 in a tunnel rather than over the road on a viaduct as had originally been planned.
A new report is set to be published on October 27 outlining a number of further alterations, which are expected to include a new station at Crewe.
There had been hope that this could see the link with the West Coast Main Line at Lichfield removed, but members of the Stop HS2 campaign group say they have been told it will remain.
“Whatever happens in the report, it will be clear that the original plans for HS2 weren’t thought through properly,” said Stop HS2 campaign manager Joe Rukin. “Changing the mess that is Phase 2 doesn’t change the fact that Phase 1 is still a complete mess, as is the entire concept.
“HS2 was simply not designed properly from the outset, because HS2 was never thought through properly. They may want to tinker round the edges to try and make it not such a stupid idea, but whatever happens it will still be a stupid idea, unjustifiable, unable to deliver on its’ promises and utterly incapable of coming in anywhere near budget.
“Any redesign is a half admission of the reality: that the whole thing should be scrapped, and we should actually have a proper analysis of what this country actually needs in terms of transport infrastructure, before billions are wasted on a white elephant vanity project which will only increase our woes.”
